LEAD Public Schools Celebrates Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month this February, schools across the LEAD Public Schools network celebrated the contributions and influence of Black Americans through special events, learning opportunities, and activities. By focusing on the history, culture, and achievement of Black Americans, LEAD is not only developing our scholars to be ready for college and ready for life, we are also honoring the culture and heritage of many of our students and staff.
Below are a just a few of the many ways our schools honored Black History Month this year:
LEAD Academy
LEAD Academy had a packed calendar for Black History Month with opportunities to celebrate almost every day. They highlighted on-theme music and moments in history on Mondays, as well as provided a dedicated time for students to explore the Alumni Room at their historical campus. The Cameron School (where LEAD Academy is housed) was the fourth public school in Nashville to be named after an African American: Henry Alvin Cameron who died in World War I. Students also had the opportunity to learn about Black influence in music by taking a field trip to the National Museum of African American Music. Lastly, the school designed custom Black History Month hoodies that were made available to anyone throughout the entire LEAD network!
LEAD Brick Church
LEAD Brick Church held a Spirit Week which encouraged students and staff to celebrate Black history by dressing according to specific themes each day:
- Monday – Wear African print, culture hairstyles and jewelry, or pan African flag colors
- Tuesday – Dress up to represent your favorite influential African American
- Wednesday – Students dress like teachers, teachers dress like students
- Thursday – Sneakerball
- Friday – Community gathering: wear all black
LEAD Cameron
LEAD Cameron students created posters for a Black History Month contest and celebrated with cupcakes for Henry Alvin Cameron Day – the school’s namesake! The school also invited Black speakers and organizations to share their stories with students, including Patrick Walker Reese and Professor Larry Jenkins. Students, staff, and families concluded Black History Month with a gathering that included a DJ, athlete presentations, and special performances.
LEAD Neely’s Bend
Students and families were invited to a screening of “Soul” for a movie night to kick off Black History Month! The school also held a talent show and a special spirit week:
- Monday – Wear black, green, and red
- Tuesday: Wear gear from Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Wednesday: Wear all black for the blackout pep rally
- Thursday: Throwback Thursday: Dress in decades attire from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s
- Friday: Black Excellence Day: Dress to impress!
For Black Excellence Day, individuals from black-owned businesses came to visit and share about their businesses in a career-fair structure.
During the schoolwide pep rally, students heard from a community jazz musician, network and school leaders, members of the school choir with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice,” and the step team.
LEAD Southeast High
LEAD Southeast High hosted a Black History Month cookout, with games, movies, music, food trucks, and Black art. There was also a special spirit week that included Black History trivia during lunch. An assembly concluded the month and included a performance from the group Sankofa, as well as student performances including dance, spoken word, and a fashion show.
LEAD Southeast Middle School
Recognizing the importance of elevating Black-owned businesses, LEAD Southeast Middle invited The Pepperpot, a local food truck, to come to school for lunch to celebrate the African Diaspora culture and food. The school also hosted a spirit week during which students dressed to honor Black contributions and hosted a bake sale! They concluded the month with a Black History Month schoolwide assembly.
