Kent Place Celebrates Black History

On Wednesday, February 26, the Kent Place community gathered for the Black History Month Celebration of Dance, hosted by the Diversity and Equity Parent Group. The event celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Black Americans through food, music, dance, and storytelling.

Before the performances began, there was an array of soul food favorites to sample, such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread — dishes rooted in Black culinary traditions.

Attendees explored the celebration of Black history, which began in 1926 as Black History Week, established by the scholar and author Carter G. Woodson, and its official recognition, as Black History Month, 50 years later, by President Gerald Ford. The colors of Black History Month — black, red, green, and yellow, symbolizing strength, unity, resilience, and hope — were on display throughout the Great Room.

Jordyn Smith ’28 emceed the evening. The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble put on a show of traditional African drumming and dancing. Kindergartners and first-graders performed together, and Callie Thornhill ’36 recited A Poem to See Misty Dance, paying tribute to the trailblazing Black ballerina Misty Copeland. Chamber Dancers and Dance Ensemble performed Freedom II, by Courtney Bryan, and Kindergarten through fifth-grade students performed 3 Sistas Dreams Come True. Second-graders performed Ease on Down the Road, and were followed by fifth-graders and September. Attendees then joined in for a spirited session of line dancing.