BHA Honors Black History Month with Wide Variety of Events

The Black Heritage Alliance welcomes visitors in the lobby for March 13’s Cumulative Night. Photo: Aysia Rene

By JOEMI QUIROZ ORTIZ and ANAYA MCLEOD

Students played fun games, learned about different careers, wore festive shirts, and participated in a final showcase in a series of events held by Midwood’s Black Heritage Alliance (BHA) in February and March to honor Black History Month.

The theme was “African American Women.”

“⁠This year’s theme made me feel proud to be able to showcase a whole event surrounding women who have greatly contributed to not only who I am today but to society as well,” said BHA Social Media Director Soraya Henry ‘26.

To kick off the festivities, the BHA hosted a film screening on February 6 with approximately 40 participants buzzing to watch The Six Triple Eight in Room 245. The movie highlighted the perseverance of 855 African American women who mailed over 17 million letters to soldiers during World War II.

“My favorite event was Movie Night,” said Nardya John ‘25. “It showed me a part of my history that I didn't know about and it opened my eyes to how important Black women are.” 

A week later, Game Night was held in the basement on February 13. Participants switched every 30 minutes between games such as Bingo, Jeopardy, Song Word Association, Family Feud, and Taboo. Laughter filled the rooms as students engaged in fierce competition, collaborated with friends, and made long-lasting memories. 

“It was a very fun event and it was a great way to bond with other people,” said Step Captain Aysia Rene ‘25. “I also liked that there were multiple stations so it wasn’t just the same game being played the whole time.”

On February 25’s Professional Night, students had the opportunity to hear experts in various fields discuss their experiences and career journeys and give thoughtful insight. The panelists included an entrepreneur, physical therapist, licensed real estate broker, correction officer, junior high school assistant principal, speech therapist, high school administrative assistant, esthetician, and NBA production assistant.

Each professional responded to questions from the BHA, with follow-ups from other students. 

Makayla Ofori ‘26’s conversation with a physical therapist, Dr. Bernard, “helped me figure out what I wanted to do during the summer that’ll help me put my foot into a medical career,” she said. 

Continuing the excitement, the BHA hosted T-shirt Day on February 28, encouraging all of Midwood to showcase their appreciation of African American women by wearing a shirt honoring their impact. From activists and artists to scientists and athletes, the shirts highlighted a diverse range of influential women who have shaped history, serving as a visual tribute to the importance of recognizing Black women's achievements.

Rene wore a shirt featuring singer and songwriter H.E.R. “All throughout quarantine, I was a huge fan of H.E.R and listened to her music 24/7,” she said. “I’ve expanded to other artists but I still love her music and listen to a couple of her songs on repeat.” 

Throughout the month, there was also a Battle of the Doors decoration competition in the school, which Room A200 won for their creative tribute to African American mathematician Katherine Johnson. 

As Black History Month drew to a close, the BHA hosted a culminating event in the auditorium on March 13 centered on society’s portrayal of Black women. The night featured an array of performances, including spoken word, dance, montages, acting, and step routines. The show was structured around the past, present, and future.

“Cumulative Night was my favorite event because it felt like all our hard work came together,” said BHA Administrative Assistant Jordyn Chambers ‘25.

The evening opened with a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem, performed by senior Kamota Monroe and junior Luke Cooper, setting the tone for a night of reflection, celebration, and empowerment.

“I felt proud to be a part of a showcase that celebrates Black culture through the lens of Black women because I myself am a Black girl,” said Suchilla Antoine ‘25, the BHA co-administrator. “I think that overall the show came together nicely, and even though it was difficult, I liked doing the art because it showed the many things that Black women can be.”

“[Cumulative Night] was one of the best events I did,” said freshman Jadine Joseph-Edwards.  “It felt like I was performing for a group of friends. It made me excited to perform for people that I knew would support me in every event I went to.”

As the celebrations ended, Women’s History Month began, along with a new tradition: every Friday in March, students honored different influential women of all races through their t-shirts, as a way to keep the conversation going.

"I thought that [the BHA’s initiatives] were very important for this year's Black History Month as well as Women's History Month,” said advisor and history teacher Marie Volcy. “It feels like we're putting one foot forward.”