On February 13th, The John Cooper School community united together to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Black Americans to the life and history of the United States through our annual Black History Month Exhibit and Reception.
Thanks to our parent volunteers, students, faculty, and administrators, the event featured a large display of notable accomplishments and achievements in Black history. Novels by Black authors, merchandise related to the Divine Nine, and information on cultural revolutions such as the Harlem Renaissance were included. To create a more engaging experience, a game was also created for guests to visit the different exhibits and learn more about Black history through spinning a wheel.
The reception featured live music from talented saxophone player, Perry Richard, and boasted hors d’oeuvres such as shrimp and grits and fried okra thanks to our very own chef, Ryan Willis, and his team.
Head of School Dr. Stephen Popp and Associate Head of School Mr. Charles Williams shared remarks about the positive impact the Black community has brough to not only The John Cooper School, but the importance of historical perspectives being brought to light.
One of the highlights of the reception were the student speakers and their speeches. Thanks to introductions by Mr. Samir Muhith and Ms. Ashley Bryson, these speakers were granted with the opportunity to present their individual perspectives on the importance of Black history and the impact it has had on their lives. Below you will find the names of the inspiring individuals who spoke at this event:
Alumni Speaker: Munachi Uzodike Ebhomielen (class of 2015)
Lower School Speakers: Xavier Baskerville (class of 2035) + Nia Douglas (class of 2031)
Middle School Speaker: Reagan Cooksen (class of 2029)
Upper School Speakers: Tobi Longe (class of 2028) + Jeremiah Parquet (class of 2025)
A huge thank you to John Cooper’s parent volunteers, students, faculty, and administrators for such a successful and engaging exhibit and reception to honor and celebrate Black Americans. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the exhibit located in The Rock on campus until February 28th.