As an organization that primarily serves youth of African descent, the cultural celebration of people of the African diaspora is certainly immersed in our daily programming. During the month of February, our Clubs place even more emphasis on celebrating Black culture in recognition of Black History Month.
All month long, our Clubs reiterated the importance of Black history in the lives and futures of all young people—those who do and those who do not identify as Black. We encouraged Clubs to create safe, inclusive, and engaging environments that foster open and transparent conversations that help all young people understand the historical and current context that led to the creation and celebration of heritage months and that heritage months are not held at the exclusion of other people. This approach not only creates space for healing, but also helps empower the next generation of leaders thriving in life and strengthening the future of their communities and the world.
Below are a few Black History Month highlights (be sure to check back for more)!
Breaking Barriers Series
On Feb. 22, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) hosted Breaking Barriers, a virtual panel discussion for middle and high school teens. Topics focused on discrimination, racial equity, knowing your rights, and more. Breaking Barriers was created to educate teens on various cultures, diversities, and ethnic backgrounds across the globe while bringing awareness to our organizations’ growth toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Lawrenceville Club Pays Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Members of the Lawrenceville Boys & Girls Club paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by reciting his 1963 I Have a Dream speech, which was given to almost 250,000 people around the Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C.
Purpose Built – Price Middle School Club Celebrates Black History Month with African Drums
During the month of February, pre-teens at Price Middle School took the afternoon to not only hangout with their peers but to learn African drumming.
I was inspired by these two young men who have found a safe place in our @APSPrice Club to hang out and learn African drumming in the afternoons! @BGCMA_Clubs @PBS_Atlanta @BGCA_Clubs pic.twitter.com/yfX9r6yQPt
— President/CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (@BGCMA_CEO) February 11, 2022
Whitehead Club Displays Black History
Within the Black History display at Whitehead, Club members learned about Emmitt Till, Fredrick Douglas, the Civil War and more. The display and the learning moments that came with it stuck with many. Executive Director Deidre Tolbert said Club members plan to stage a “kids March in the Month of March. They found a civil issue that was important to youth and are charged with researching the topic and their proposed solutions.”
Grant Club Celebrates the Culture of New Orleans
The Grant Gators celebrated Black History by immersing themselves in the culture of New Orleans/Mardi Gras. The smell of red beans and rice and king cakes radiated our halls along with the sounds of second line music.
Flint River Celebrates Black History Month with Program to Club Parents, Friends, & Community Supporters
Club members spent the evening educating and sharing various presentations with the audience, including reciting poems, doing lyrical dances, singing Negro spirituals, and playing Black History trivia. On display were creations depicting Black inventions, like life size mailboxes depicting Philip Downing’s mailbox and Garrett Morgan’s traffic light. Flint River’s Youth of the Year, Elias Dennis gave a speech about black history month and its significance.
Mimms Club Celebrates Black History with a Posters, a Mural, and Baton/Dance Routine
Club members at Mimms celebrated Black history month with a mural of a Black woman’s hair at the entrance of the building (hand drawn by staff), posting posters of Black history figures throughout the Club, and doing short presentations of those Black historical figures. Additionally, the Mimms Baton Twirling & Majorette Dance Team performed a lyrical piece entitled “Stand Up.”