Throughout February, Black Affinity took the reins and directed all daily community meetings and assemblies to explore diverse cultural topics and individuals. They brought forth a rich mosaic of narratives from the realms of arts, STEM, politics, business, sports, entertainment, and beyond.
Marking the 8th consecutive year of their presentations during Black History Month, Black Affinity aimed to elevate the conversation. In preparation, members met before, during, and after school to strategize and curate a fresh plan. Engaging topics such as Black cowboys, banned books, Black trivia, wellness within the Black community, and many others were passionately discussed and shared.
Reflecting on the significance of this year’s efforts, faculty advisor of Black Affinity, Lade Akande, remarked, “I think there was something for everyone to get interested, excited, and learn about this year that was new to them. The new conversations got their classmates to realize that Black history is always happening, and they are a part of it.”
As Black History Month drew to a close, senior Aiden Dorant took the lead and conducted the UHS Advanced Musicianship Choral Group in a wonderful performance. Together, they presented two Black national anthems: “Way Over in Beulah Lan’,” arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs and “We Shall Walk Through The Valley of Peace,” arranged by Moses Hogan.
“These songs both carry a very deep historical meaning and reflect the message of Black History Month,” Aiden explained. “Black people in America have gone through so much, and ultimately we have come so far. They both have the ultimate meaning that at the end of it all, we are going to reach a better destination”The performance concluded with a standing ovation from the Trailblazer community. All presentations and slides were recorded and archived for viewing. To relive the Advanced Musicianship Choral Group’s performance, visit our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/FNsbUuM1ABU
To relive the Advanced Musicianship Choral Group’s performance, click the linked video below or visit our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/FNsbUuM1ABU.