FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — February is Black History Month and Fresno Unified’s Black Student Union hosted its ninth annual Black History Month Program on Wednesday night.
The Black History Month Program “Our History, Our Heritage, Our Strength” will be at the Audra McDonald Theater at Roosevelt High School.
It’s a fun-filled evening of cultural entertainment and special performances by a talented group of local teenagers.
In partnership with Purposed II Praise Dance Studio, the program will also include a tribute to African drumming and Black poets– tapping into the Harlem Renaissance era.
Organizer Lisa Mitchell is FUSD’s African American Academic Acceleration Executive Director.
“We always try to focus on the history that people don’t know about, things that you don’t see in our history books,” Mitchell said.
Students from across the district participated. Mitchell said everyone should know about Black history, so there is collaboration with other student organizations such as Roosevelt Theater Performers Abby Lopez and Nick Sterling, who will also be part of the program.
“It educated me so I know a lot more things because now when I read the script I didn’t know half the things in the script happened,” Lopez said.
Sterling can be an extra and also helps with props.
“I think it’s really important to get everybody involved so everybody has their story and their turn to tell that story,” Sterling said.
The program’s host, the district’s Black Student Union organization, is made up of mostly African American students.
Mitchell started a BSU at Gaston Middle School when the school first opened in 2014, all to bring students together and teach them about their culture.
“It’s really about a leadership club that equips our students to be leaders in our community, give back to their community, but at the same time learn about their history and be proud of who they are as people. black individual,” Mitchell said.
BSU Student Kaleah McArtor said she is grateful for her village. “It’s important for people to know that you have a community out there that supports you. With everything that’s going on in this world it’s very difficult and it’s easy to feel alone so I think, that’s why there’s a family, a community behind you. is very important,” he said.
Doors open at 5 pm, plus this year’s preshow starts at 5:30 pm. The official program starts at 6 pm.
Tickets for the show are $1, and all proceeds support BSU clubs.
ABC30 is a proud sponsor of this event.
Copyright © 2023 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.
