‘Black culture isn’t just for Black people’: How the Appleton school district celebrated Black History Month

APPLETON - Students in the Appleton Area School District hoped that the busy calendar of Black History Month events would offer community members a new perspective.

Although February is a time to intentionally celebrate and honor Black history, Kempton Freeman, a cultural adviser at Appleton West High School, said “culture is all year round.”

“I’m fortunate to be in this space where people see the value in culture and want to be a part of those cultural and heritage things that we present. We try to do it 365 — well ...180 in the school district year,” Freeman said.

Over the course of the month, there were large community events at Appleton West and East high schools, a roller skating party, resources for students to learn how best to care for sneakers, a virtual webinar and, to cap it off, a night of games and refreshments at Franklin Elementary School.

Freeman wasn’t sure what to expect for turnout at events, but he estimated a few hundred showed up for events throughout the month. Just under 5% of students in the district are Black, but the events are open for all students and, in some cases, the entire community to participate.

Freeman hopes that attending Black History Month events “sparks something” for people. Maybe a word or a conversation, he said, will trigger a positive or negative feeling in them. He hopes they pay attention to it, reflect on it and grow from it.

“Black culture isn’t just for Black people,” Freeman said.

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The community celebration at Appleton East High School included family portraits taken by a Black photographer, banners lining the hallways with Black historical figures, food, vendors and student performances.

Neo Medina, STAR assistant director at East, was especially excited about the banners because they showcase figures of “Black excellence,” such as Lewis Latimer, whose engineering skills and knowledge of patents drastically shaped the invention of the telephone and light bulb.

Some of the students, like Dajah Clemons, a senior at East, started planning the event in October. Clemons led the charge on hanging streamers and balloons in the hallway the day before the event.

About a dozen students were there helping her, including Kiara Hudson and Orajade Dupee. They were excited about the event, hoping people would feel welcome, have fun and get to “see our side of things.”

The day before the event, Medina told The Post-Crescent that he was excited to see the community come together to celebrate youth from marginalized communities in such a positive way.

He also spoke to the intersection of identities that come together for the students involved, such as some students who are biracial or have different ability levels.

“All these different layers can be celebrated and lifted up,” he said.

As an artist himself, Medina wanted student talent showcased at East’s community event. The student performers did everything from dance to rap to jazz. Students designed T-shirts and banners.

In a similar vein, The Post-Crescent wanted to hear more about what Black History Month means to students and asked them to share that through writing.

Here’s what Black History Month means to Annika McDonald, a junior at East, in her own words.

“As a child of color in America, Black History month is something very relevant and important to me and to the community that I share it with. To me Black History Month is about more than just celebrating a broken and tragic part in our history, because although it has great significance, it’s a fraction of what success Black and African Americans have brought to impact our history today.

"Black History Month is for people in our community, and everywhere to come together and celebrate Black excellence together. We get to learn about those in our history who have been undermined and share their stories. We get to see the impact that Black people make in our community today more than ever, and we will continue to celebrate a month where we learn about the other side of history. Not one of tragedy, but of strength and empowerment.”

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Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Black History Month celebrations in the Appleton Area School District