Black Leadership and Culture Club (BLACC) hosted a virtual event celebrating Black History Month during Community Flex Time on Feb. 23. Co-leaders of BLACC Khyra Stiner ’21 and Ash Wright ’22 introduced a series of videos about Black culture, achievement and remembrance.

The presentation began with an expressive poem by Makeda Neavill ’21, in which she explained her personal struggles with adversity. Cameron Herring ’21 then spoke on why the celebration of Black culture should be a year-long practice.

“There is no wrong time to commemorate, talk about and learn from members of the Black community,” Herring said. “The community that has lended willingly and unwillingly an astronomical hand in building the best parts of our country. The joy, creativity, music, art, dance, humor, minds and culture we bring to the spaces we inhabit are truly priceless.”

Stiner created and edited a video asking students about what Black history means to them.

Santiago Kelly ’22 also spoke about lesser-known figures in Black history, such as poet Phillis Wheatley and American physician Rebecca Lee Crumpler.

“I feel that it is very important, especially during Black History Month to acknowledge the accomplishments of Black Americans in our country and community,” Kelly said. “There is a much deserved and needed emphasis on a few Black figures as we learn about African Americans in this country, such as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. However, there have been countless figures that have aided in the improvement of the treatment of Black people in this country.”

Asia Fuqua ’21 sang “I Can’t Breathe” by H.E.R. to close the meeting, and Reverend Anne Gardner gave remarks thanking BLACC for their contributions to the assembly.

“One of the blessings of moving from a more activity-based model to our current hybrid model of speakers, performances and educational offerings is the chance to highlight multiple segments of our community,” Gardner said. “[BLACC is] a wonderful, creative and talented group, and we are grateful to be able to shine a spotlight on such diversity.”