Black History Month Roundup
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February is Black History Month, and scholars at all National Heritage Academies® (NHA) schools celebrated the observance, learning about Black pioneers and diving into Black history and culture. These celebrations included art contests, living wax museums, door decorating, and much more. Check out the various celebrations!
Burton Glen
Burton Glen Charter Academy leaned into the Black History Month celebrations with many fun activities for scholars. One notable event was the partnership between Burton Glen and MTAFlint. Scholars were able to showcase their artwork on the Black History Bus. What a wonderful way to celebrate creativity and heritage.
Cross Creek
Cross Creek Charter Academy invited Brightstar Theatre to perform ‘Black History Hall of Fame’. They offered scholars an opportunity to meet some of the most significant Black Americans in the last few hundred years, making history come alive!
Pembroke
Scholars at Pembroke Academy were surprised by a very special guest on Friday, Feb. 12. Mr. Miller London, the very first black salesman for Motown Records visited the school. He is responsible for promoting all the wonderful Motown hits we all know and love to the local radio stations. Eventually he worked his way up to the executive team at Motown and later was part of the RCA Team in California.
He was able to tour the school and sit down with Ms. Gooden’s first grade class. He brought in his Gold Record to show the scholars and tell his story from his days at Motown. He spent time asking scholars about their projects and was able to find out about their Black History Month wax museum. He was thoroughly impressed with our scholars and school and returned to visit during the Black History Month Living Wax Museum Event. What a wonderful opportunity for scholars and staff!
Rolesville
Rolesville Charter Academy in North Carolina held a student-led night celebrating African culture. Families were able to enjoy traditional food and learn more about African culture. The event honored the rich heritage of Rolesville Charter Academy families and perfectly illustrated the light and joy created when our scholars, teachers, and community unite.
South Pointe
On Saturday, February 28, South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy in Ypsilanti, MI hosted a free Mobile Black History Museum. The interactive open house experience called “Black History in Motion” was presented by local groups Community Leadership Revolution (CLR) Academy and Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper (WMBK).
Scholars and families were able to enjoy an experience that brings Black history off the page and into the room through visuals, storytelling, and creative engagement designed especially for young people. Read more about the experience here.
Taylor Exemplar
Taylor Exemplar Academy invited families to their National African American parent involvement day. Families were able to come into the building and enjoy a poetry reading by Taylor Exemplar scholars. The parents were also invited into the classroom for a teacher-led project. Each teacher decorated their door for black history month, and parents walked around and voted for the most creative door.
Vanguard
Vanguard Charter Academy showcased a Black History Month Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was a school-wide event that involved every wing of the building, including office and shared spaces. Each wing was assigned a theme (Entertainers, Authors/Illustrators, Social Justice, STEM/Inventors, and Michigan figures), and teachers decorated their classroom door or bulletin boards to highlight a notable Black historical or contemporary figure connected to that theme. Students and families were invited to walk through the building and view the displays, voting on their favorites.
In addition to the decorating contest, they also encouraged family engagement by distributing free “tickets” to classes. The class that brought the most visitors to the Hall of Fame also earned a prize, making it both a celebration and a community-building event.
Winterville
Winterville Charter Academy invited the Winterville Historical and Arts Society to sponsor their Black History Celebration on February 15. Students, staff and the community came together to show their pride for Black history and culture. An impactful and inspiring evening also showcased beautiful student work that reflected creativity and appreciation for Black history. What a creative way to celebrate!
BHM Wax Museums and Poster Projects
Many schools like Linden Charter Academy, Knapp Charter Academy, and Fortis Charter Academy brought history to life by hosting interactive Black History Month Wax Museums. Scholars meticulously researched and "became" notable Black historical and contemporary figures, transforming their school halls into galleries of inspiration. From civil rights icons to modern-day pioneers, our students showcased the depth of Black achievement through these immersive, student-led presentations.
Door Decorating
At schools like Southside Academy Charter School and Quest Charter Academy, their halls burst with creativity as classrooms decorated doors to honor Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers. What a fun way to celebrate Black excellence.
Quiz Bowl and Game Shows
Competition met education at Detroit Enterprise Academy and Detroit Premier Academy as students put their knowledge to the test. Detroit Enterprise scholars faced off in a spirited Black History Quiz Bowl, demonstrating a deep mastery of historical facts and figures. Meanwhile, Detroit Premier brought high energy to the halls with a Black History Month Game Show, turning the study of legacy and achievement into an interactive, school-wide celebration.
Black History Month Cultural Expo
Oakside Prep Academy, Pinnacle Academy, and Walton Charter Academy invited the community to gather for their vibrant Black History Month Cultural Expos, which seamlessly blended heritage with entrepreneurship. The events featured a Living History Museum alongside a Black Business Expo, where over 40 local vendors showcased their diverse products and services. Throughout the evening, guests explored the exhibits, entered for a chance to win raffle baskets and museum ticket packages, and enjoyed a variety of local food trucks, making it a true celebration of community and connection.
Burton Glen
Burton Glen Charter Academy leaned into the Black History Month celebrations with many fun activities for scholars. One notable event was the partnership between Burton Glen and MTAFlint. Scholars were able to showcase their artwork on the Black History Bus. What a wonderful way to celebrate creativity and heritage.
Scholars at Burton Glen show off their artwork that will be featured on MTA's Black History bus.
Cross Creek
Cross Creek Charter Academy invited Brightstar Theatre to perform ‘Black History Hall of Fame’. They offered scholars an opportunity to meet some of the most significant Black Americans in the last few hundred years, making history come alive!
Cross Creek Charter Academy invited Brightstar Theatre to perform ‘Black History Hall of Fame’.
Pembroke
Scholars at Pembroke Academy were surprised by a very special guest on Friday, Feb. 12. Mr. Miller London, the very first black salesman for Motown Records visited the school. He is responsible for promoting all the wonderful Motown hits we all know and love to the local radio stations. Eventually he worked his way up to the executive team at Motown and later was part of the RCA Team in California.
He was able to tour the school and sit down with Ms. Gooden’s first grade class. He brought in his Gold Record to show the scholars and tell his story from his days at Motown. He spent time asking scholars about their projects and was able to find out about their Black History Month wax museum. He was thoroughly impressed with our scholars and school and returned to visit during the Black History Month Living Wax Museum Event. What a wonderful opportunity for scholars and staff!
Mr. Miller London visited Pembroke Academy. Mr. London was one of Motown Record's very first black salesman.
Rolesville
Rolesville Charter Academy in North Carolina held a student-led night celebrating African culture. Families were able to enjoy traditional food and learn more about African culture. The event honored the rich heritage of Rolesville Charter Academy families and perfectly illustrated the light and joy created when our scholars, teachers, and community unite.
Families celebrate African culture at Rolesville Charter Academy.
South Pointe
On Saturday, February 28, South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy in Ypsilanti, MI hosted a free Mobile Black History Museum. The interactive open house experience called “Black History in Motion” was presented by local groups Community Leadership Revolution (CLR) Academy and Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper (WMBK).
Scholars and families were able to enjoy an experience that brings Black history off the page and into the room through visuals, storytelling, and creative engagement designed especially for young people. Read more about the experience here.
Taylor Exemplar
Taylor Exemplar Academy invited families to their National African American parent involvement day. Families were able to come into the building and enjoy a poetry reading by Taylor Exemplar scholars. The parents were also invited into the classroom for a teacher-led project. Each teacher decorated their door for black history month, and parents walked around and voted for the most creative door.
Vanguard
Vanguard Charter Academy showcased a Black History Month Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was a school-wide event that involved every wing of the building, including office and shared spaces. Each wing was assigned a theme (Entertainers, Authors/Illustrators, Social Justice, STEM/Inventors, and Michigan figures), and teachers decorated their classroom door or bulletin boards to highlight a notable Black historical or contemporary figure connected to that theme. Students and families were invited to walk through the building and view the displays, voting on their favorites.
In addition to the decorating contest, they also encouraged family engagement by distributing free “tickets” to classes. The class that brought the most visitors to the Hall of Fame also earned a prize, making it both a celebration and a community-building event.
Winterville
Winterville Charter Academy invited the Winterville Historical and Arts Society to sponsor their Black History Celebration on February 15. Students, staff and the community came together to show their pride for Black history and culture. An impactful and inspiring evening also showcased beautiful student work that reflected creativity and appreciation for Black history. What a creative way to celebrate!
Winterville Historical and Arts Society helped Winterville Charter Academy host a Black History celebration.
BHM Wax Museums and Poster Projects
Many schools like Linden Charter Academy, Knapp Charter Academy, and Fortis Charter Academy brought history to life by hosting interactive Black History Month Wax Museums. Scholars meticulously researched and "became" notable Black historical and contemporary figures, transforming their school halls into galleries of inspiration. From civil rights icons to modern-day pioneers, our students showcased the depth of Black achievement through these immersive, student-led presentations.
Students at Linden learn about famous Black historical and contemporary figures.
Door Decorating
At schools like Southside Academy Charter School and Quest Charter Academy, their halls burst with creativity as classrooms decorated doors to honor Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers. What a fun way to celebrate Black excellence.
Southside Academy held a Black History Month Door Decorating competition.
Quiz Bowl and Game Shows
Competition met education at Detroit Enterprise Academy and Detroit Premier Academy as students put their knowledge to the test. Detroit Enterprise scholars faced off in a spirited Black History Quiz Bowl, demonstrating a deep mastery of historical facts and figures. Meanwhile, Detroit Premier brought high energy to the halls with a Black History Month Game Show, turning the study of legacy and achievement into an interactive, school-wide celebration.
Black History Month Cultural Expo
Oakside Prep Academy, Pinnacle Academy, and Walton Charter Academy invited the community to gather for their vibrant Black History Month Cultural Expos, which seamlessly blended heritage with entrepreneurship. The events featured a Living History Museum alongside a Black Business Expo, where over 40 local vendors showcased their diverse products and services. Throughout the evening, guests explored the exhibits, entered for a chance to win raffle baskets and museum ticket packages, and enjoyed a variety of local food trucks, making it a true celebration of community and connection.
Scholars at Walton learn about entrepreneurship at their Black History Month Cultural Expo.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.