Black History Month is celebrated in February to honor the contributions of African Americans in U.S. history. At Millbrook the Black Student Union (BSU) honors this month by holding a performance. This year the performance was on Friday, February 28th, during the second and fourth period. Teachers were given the option to sign up to attend, and many enjoyed seeing their peers perform. It consisted of singing, informational speeches, dances, and there was a model walk at the beginning and end. The current president of the BSU is Stephanie Smith. The teacher advisors are Mr. Abdul-Azi’s and Mr. Milner.
Those who participated put in a tremendous amount of effort into making the performance enjoyable for those watching. The leaders of this club contributed by welcoming the crowd and giving background information on the club and their goals. Former BSU President and current senior advisor Lisette Hunter said, “The showcase is more than a celebration but a moment of truth in which students can be their most vulnerable selves through different creative outlets.” Hunter also added, “A lot of work was put in by everyone, and it was inspiring to watch it all come together.” Everyone involved showed a representation of themselves by performing a song or dance that they chose.
The crowd cheered along throughout the duration of the performance and showed lots of support. Junior Micah Ferguson who performed in various parts said, “The showcase is mainly to highlight black excellence and talent here at Millbrook. It helped to show that the black community within the arts is strong and still standing.” Ferguson performed in a group dance, solo dance, and sang “Let me love you” by Mario. During these parts of the performance those who attended contributed by clapping along.
There is a great importance for the support from peers during this performance. With a good attendance and participation from the crowd, the BSU students are able to express themselves. Junior Sophia Mallard who attended the BSU showcase said, “I am glad my teacher signed my class up to go to this performance. It was a good way to highlight this club while also being enjoyable to watch, they did a great job.” Even though some classes did not get to attend, they definitely got to hear about it from their peers. With a variety of parts of the showcase there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Black Student Union showcase at Millbrook High School was more than just a performance, it was a powerful celebration of culture, history, and artistic expression. By highlighting Black excellence through music, dance, and storytelling, the event created a space for students to embrace their heritage and share their talents with the school community.
The dedication of the BSU members, combined with the enthusiastic support from the audience, demonstrated the importance of uplifting diverse voices and fostering unity. As this tradition continues, it will serve as a lasting reminder of the strength, creativity, and resilience of the Black community at Millbrook, inspiring future students to participate and celebrate their heritage with pride.
