February 1st, 2023 begins Black History Month. A month of celebrating Black artists, communities, and groups. Black History Month was officially started in February 1986 as National Black History Month. It was created as a way to educate people about Black history and culture.  

On February 22, 2023, Explore Middle School held its annual Black History Month Showcase. Students in the Dance Club and Vocal Arts CTE will be creating performance pieces to perform in front of the whole student body. These performances include songs, dances, and musical instrument performances. These students have worked with Ms. Angela Cirillo, Ms. Colette Jackson Belle, and Ms. Mary Norcia to create their pieces.

Belle says, “I think it is important because a lot about Black culture is largely rooted around music and being able to express ourselves through music is important to be able to unify through dance and music. It tells their stories. For example, Nina Simone is an amazing artist but wasn’t even a singer but instead a piano player. But as a Black woman she couldn't play piano, she had to sing. The songs being sung are celebrating the achievements of Black culture.” Belle says that Black culture must be taught and this showcase is amazing to have that exposure. 

Cirillo, Visual and Performing Arts teacher as well as Vocal Arts CTE director, is one of the people organizing and preparing the students for the performance.  “It is important to represent Black History Month through music and dance because this month and throughout the year it is important to appreciate and acknowledge the history and rich African traditions that helped grow and mold different musical genres such as jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, swing and so much more. It is important for students to not only understand that but get the chance to participate in such genres and styles by singing songs and creating movements using them,” said Cirillo.

Cirillo also says “Black History Month can be celebrated by learning different cultures and history throughout the school as well as putting on these assemblies for students and staff with guest speakers and performances in order to learn different cultures as well as appreciate the impact that African-Americans have contributed to our society and continue to do." 

Overall, the reason behind these performances is to educate the new generations and even older generations on the importance of these historical events and people from the Black community. Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor influential people who may have not had a voice. After this, their hope is to raise awareness and show the world who these influential people from the Black community really are. 

To end, a quote from Nelson Mandela. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”