This month, Choate is observing Black History Month, which takes place every February, through events exploring topics such as intersectionality, art, and Black excellence. The goal, in part, is to foster connections among Black-identifying students and between student groups on campus.
Saijel Burkett ’22 and Adrienne Chacón ’22 helped plan various events and activities for Black History Month, such as affinity spaces, poster making, jazz music in the dining hall, and bingo night. After coming up with a list of events, they sent them to Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion Mr. Fillipe Camarotti in an effort to revitalize Black History Month celebration at Choate.
Collaboratung with other members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force, Mr. Camarotti said, “We wanted to have different kinds of events and opportunities for people to engage with while centering the upliftment of Black voices, Black excellence, and Black experience.”
Many clubs took charge in organizing discussion forums around the Black experience. Vice President of Black Student Alliance (BSA) Sean Guzmán ’22, said, “We did two joint meetings: the first one was discussing the intersectionality of race and gender, and the second one was on people of color solidarity.”
Many students advocated for events and activities focusing on connecting with others and having fun. Guzmán stressed the significance of social events, adding, “A lot of times when we talk about Blackness at Choate, it is through the lens of trauma. Some members of BSA were interested in a barbeque or a cookout and celebrating our Blackness instead of always sitting down to have conversations.”
Another social event was hosted by the affinity groups Responsibility, Intellect, Sisterhood, and Empowerment (RISE) and Choate Afro-Latino Men (CALM). Burkett said, “It was nice when Angela Davis came, because we got to talk to so many Black students we hadn’t met before, so we wanted to have more spaces where we can just hang out.”
Racquel Welcome ’24 attended the RISE and CALM joint social last Thursday. She noted, “I felt a sense of community talking to more people of color that I never got a chance to interact with before.”
Another attendee, Taylor Vatel ’24, added, “It was refreshing to exist in a space that was just ours.”
Students highlighted the importance of celebrating and recognizing Black history, whether through the lens of empowerment, education, or community.
