“Our event is kind of bringing the community together,” explained sophomore Marlee McKenzie, left, with senior Aniya Anderson, of Timber Creek Regional High School’s Black History Month event on Feb. 18. “It showcases how our students are representing different versions of Black excellence.”
The importance of community connections were felt inside the library at Timber Creek Regional High School on Feb. 18.
As music played, people were conversing and kids were running around, as some got up for seconds of a hot home-cooked-style meal that included mac and cheese, candied yams and sweet treats offered by Kash Kooks K&T Kitchen.
It was the annual Black History Month event sponsored by the school’s African American Culture Club.
“Our event is kind of bringing the community together,” explained sophomore and club secretary Marlee McKenzie. “It showcases how our students are representing different versions of Black excellence while also trying to show different styles.”
The event was essentially a sneak peak at what the club had in store for its Black History Month assembly of all students during the school day.
“For example, in our assembly we’re having the dance class, the theater class, poetry and the step team as well,” McKenzie offered, adding there will be a fashion walk with costumes. “I think it’s really showcasing how students portray the Black history while also showing a common style.”
The assembly is student driven, according to club advisor Jordana Simmons Berwise, and has been held for many years. The evening event on the 18th is in its third year. Berwise, a student success coach at Timber Creek, and school Principal Kelly McKenzie came together and decided to hold an event for the whole community.
“The assembly is only for students,” Berwise explained. “It’s one thing to perform for the kids and educate and make kids aware of what Black History Month means. It’s not just about the struggles of Black history, but to celebrate the joy of it. So, we kind of stepped into this idea and it gets bigger and bigger every year.”
Given that Timber Creek is a regional neighborhood school in the middle of the community, the evening event helps maintain the connection, that bridge to the community, McKenzie noted. It also celebrated 100 years of Black history and began with “Life Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn composed by American writer and activist James Weldon Johnson and known as the Black national anthem.
Principal McKenzie welcomed members of the community. The Timber Creek Step Team performed and Keaira Williams read an original poem. Special guests included Dr. Darlene Keith-Battle of Viola’s Place Inc., Ishaaq Still of c/o 2016 and Nidia Cuesta of T-Nation.
Senior Aniya Anderson, a club member, said it was fun seeing everyone having a good time.
The students of the African American Culture Club organized activities throughout Black History Month. They coordinated to wear red for Heart Health Day at the beginning of month and collected toiletry donations for Viola’s Place, a nonprofit based in Williamstown that provides resources and assist in locating safe and secure shelter for women and their children.
Kash Kooks K&T Kitchen served a home-cooked-style meal at the event.
