Black History Month 2025: Planting Seeds of Joy

This year’s theme for Black History Month was “planting seeds of joy,” and the various events across campus marking the month certainly accomplished that goal. Students and faculty enjoyed special food, entertainment, writing workshops, and more.

On Saturday, February 22, students enjoyed a showing of “Hidden Figures” in the Barn. The movie night was followed up with a special menu at the dining hall the next day, featuring delectable soul food favorites like macaroni and cheese, oxtail, and collard greens.

Student DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging) leaders also organized writing workshops, working with members of student literary magazine “The Mill.” The workshops featured styles traditionally used by African American writers, such as blues, poetry, and spoken word. The group listened to and read famous examples of each style, discussing their cultural relevance before trying their hand at producing their own pieces.

Throughout the month, DEIB student leaders hosted rounds of trivia in Friday Assemblies, calling students to the stage in the Chelsea Morrison Theater to test their knowledge of black history. On the final Friday of February, trivia was followed up with a showing of a music video by Mali artist Fatoumata Diawara, presented by VIth former Zoumana Traore, who is also of Mali descent.

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