To celebrate Black History Month (BHM), the Choate administration and student organizations hosted a wide variety of events and initiatives for the School community. These initiatives sought to engage community members in promoting education, pride, and awareness about Black culture and history.
Dean of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Rachel Myers will be hosting a “Soul Food Sunday” event for Black-identifying community members with the rest of the Equity and Inclusion Office. Hoping for Black community members to share food and culture, build connections, and create joyful memories, Dr. Myers based the event largely on what it means to her to be a Black person. She emphasized, “That is the core of what Black History Month means to me as a Black person: celebrating the people and aspects of Black culture and history that bring me joy.”
Cory Williams ’23, founder and president of the Choate Caribbean Club, expressed his excitement for the event. He is particularly “looking forward to the barbecue later on this month.”
Williams noted his appreciation for what Choate has done in the past and what it is continuing to do for Black History Month. For example, the Administration put out a call for video submissions from Black community members to celebrate. Williams said, “Dr. Myers did a great job of reaching out to students to get their own story to share with the student body.”
Black Student Alliance (BSA) is hosting their event in partnership with the Andrew Mellon Library this year. The student organization collaborated with the library to do a display. The Library made a display case with books in the Reading Room featuring topics of Black joy, such as Black hair and Black people who have surpassed barriers. The curated display provides a lens into deeper topics related to Black identity.
Many student groups are also holding events collaboratively and using this opportunity to increase communication amongst themselves. For example, BSA is planning to host a joint meeting week with numerous different clubs on campus. The Caribbean Club is working closely with clubs of similar interests, such as Choate African and Latino Men and BSA. Williams hopes to “[learn] from [his] peers who have been here longer.”
In order for the goals of these initiatives to be met, it is necessary for all members of the Choate community — not just those who are Black-identifying — to make an effort to learn and participate. Caribbean Club, for example, is “not only for Caribbean students,” but for the “whole Choate community because we wanted to educate and teach others about our cultural heritage,” according to Williams.
Although much is being done for Black History Month at Choate, improvements can always be made. Danielle Storr ’23, the President of BSA, hopes that Black History Month can be more actively promoted around campus through posters, announcements at School Meetings, and other means of communication. More widespread knowledge about Black History Month and related initiatives will help foster learning and understanding, a mutual goal held by the Administration and student body.
“Black Student Alliance isn’t a place only for Black students,” said Storr, encouraging all students to join. Knowledge, awareness, and understanding among non-Black-identifying students can only happen through commitment, genuine interest, and concern. However, she added that non-Black community members should be “supportive of their friends” and not be “relying on [their] Black friends to teach [them] things about Black issues.” Dr. Myers also affirmed other ways in which students can recognize and appreciate Black people by supporting Black-owned businesses all year round.
The many initiatives produced by the Administration and student organizations on campus are instrumental in promoting education, recognition, and celebration of Black history and culture. Through feedback and engagement with clubs such as the Caribbean Club and BSA, students can amplify Black voices. Choate community members should always make an effort to gain knowledge and understanding of the pivotal aspects of Black culture — Black history is American history.
