This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” which focuses on the importance of telling stories of Black struggle, perseverance, and celebration. The stories are told through firsthand experiences, by the people themselves, rather than being appropriated by third parties, which can diminish the richness and authenticity of Black culture.
The College’s celebration kicked off with an inspiring Chapel service led by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team, who shared the stories of two formidable Black women – Zora Neale Hurston and Claudette Colvin – and their remarkable lives spent challenging racial confines and reclaiming the narrative of their own experiences.
The campus has been adorned with flags and posters in the celebratory colours of black, red, yellow, and green, which represent resilience, sacrifice, optimism, and justice. Additionally, the Library’s Black History Month display offered a wealth of books to deepen pupils’ understanding of Black history and culture.
This week, in the Dining Hall, pupils enjoyed a Come and Taste Culture Menu, which encouraged pupils to sample dishes from the Caribbean, Jamaica, Morocco, and other countries. On Tuesday’s Movie Night, the powerful drama The Help was screened, eliciting both laughter and deep reflection from the audience.
Lastly, the much-anticipated Black History Month Extravaganza took place on Thursday, showcasing talent and culture from across the College. With poetry recitals, dance performances, singing, and more, it was a fantastic celebration of Black culture.