Elevating Black History in Orange County Public Schools
It is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black people to American history year-round. But February is a special time, earmarked to educate, to reflect upon and to cherish the contributions of Americans of African and Caribbean descent. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the OCPS Black History Month Celebration.
Four groups of students and one teacher were chosen to perform in this year’s virtual Black History Month celebration, hosted by School Board Member Vicki-Elaine Felder.
The 30-minute program can be streamed on demand on the OCPS YouTube channel.
OCPS has been celebrating Black History Month in schools all over the county, as well as on a district level. The lobby of the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center features student art and objects inspired by or focused on African and African-American themes. There are also banners celebrating prominent Black individuals - local and national - and their contributions to Orange County and beyond.
This celebration of Black History in America dates back over 100 years. It was in 1915 that noted Black scholar Carter G. Woodson first came up with the idea to shine a spotlight on the history of Black people. It was first celebrated in 1926 as Negro History Week to overlap with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Observance was expanded to a month and went nationwide in the 1970s, and Black History Month was officially recognized by Congress in 1986.