DC Charter School Alliance Celebrates Black History Month
By Ariel Johnson, Executive Director, DC Charter School Alliance
Today marks the first day of Black History Month, a time to honor and appreciate the indispensable contributions that African Americans have made to the history, society, and culture of our city and our nation. This year's theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” highlights the tremendous impact that African Americans have had on various art forms, from music and dance to literature, architecture, and fashion. The global popularity of musical genres like Hip Hop and R&B and literary art forms like spoken word stands as a testament to that legacy of artistic excellence emerging from adversity.
In few places is this legacy more apparent than in the District of Columbia, which has been a center of African American art and culture for generations. Our city’s Black community has produced artistic virtuosos like Lou Stovall and Adrienne L. Childs, unique musical genres like Go-Go and D.C. hardcore, and iconic performing acts like Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye.
As members of the D.C. community, we at The DC Charter School Alliance proudly celebrate all these achievements and take pride in the part that our school leaders, teachers, and staff play in educating and shaping the next generation of great Black artists.
At the same time, we recognize that despite the many achievements African Americans have made, both in D.C. and across the nation, they have done so in the face of systemic oppression and mistreatment. This month is a time to reflect on our history, center Black voices, and continue working to dismantle unjust systems of power and privilege. Building a better, more equitable future for our city and our country, requires recognizing our past.
If you are looking to celebrate this occasion or educate yourself on the history or present of the African American community, here’s a list of a few good options. Additionally, organizations like ASALH and the National Museum of African American History & Culture, are hosting all kinds of events this month, so be sure to check those out. And make sure to patronize some of DC’s many Black-owned businesses this month!
