GSB Community Celebrates Black History Month

The GSB community celebrated Black History Month with a range of engaging events and activities. This annual observance is an opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. While GSB celebrates Black History Month in February, it is important to note that the history of people and experiences across the African diaspora is infused in the curriculum year-round.  

“This year student voices were amplified across the community," commented Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community Tracey Goodson Barrett. "We are reminded this month that Black History is a living history. I have been inspired by the many students across all three divisions, from our youngest in preschool to our seniors, who have meaningfully engaged in the many ways in which GSB honors Black History Month.”  

This year’s Black History Month activities included: 

• Our Lower, Middle, and Upper School libraries have featured displays showcasing books and other materials related to Black history and culture.  

• Colorful posters and interactive bulletin boards in various campus locations invited students to learn about prominent Black figures in fields like science, technology, engineering, and math. 

• Middle School students explored the rich and diverse history of Black music with daily highlights of Black music artists across all genres, ranging from classic soul singers to contemporary stars. 

• High-energy assemblies for Lower and Middle School students featuring Soul Steps. The step team fused traditional African American stepping with contemporary dance styles. Students also learned the history of stepping and its roots in South African gumboot. 

• Upper School students shared reflections and poetry with their peers to explore the themes and importance of Black History Month. 

• Custom lunch menus courtesy of SAGE dining services to give students a taste of influential dishes across cultures in the Black diaspora. 

• Members of the Upper School Black Student Union (BSU) created “Instagram Takeovers” on the GSB School channel to share day-in-the-life perspectives of the GSB students. 

New for 2023, the BSU also produced an incredible, multi-part podcast series called the Black Knights podcast. The episodes featured interviews with Black alumni from across the decades, ranging from the 1960s to 2022. The interviews provided a unique perspective on the school's history and the experiences of Black students at GSB. Black Knights Host Dakauri Pinckney ‘24 shared, "Being a part of the podcast was such a good experience! We had a lot of interesting and inciteful conversations and hopefully, we can do it again!" 

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Candace Pryor Brown added, "Black history is American history, and the experiences of Black alumni at GSB contribute to its story. Students recognized that GSB is a microcosm of American history. By engaging with alumni from the 'Fearless First' Black students at GSB, to graduates from the 2020s, they honored their diverse experiences and deepened their understanding of their own history and the history of GSB." 

The Black Knights podcast is available online and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.