In honor of Black History Month, 7th-grade students embarked on a profound journey of discovery that bridged the gap between historical struggle and creative celebration. The project began with a series of reflective dialogues focused on the Civil Rights Movement, where students examined the immense courage required to fight for systemic change and the vital importance of recognizing Black contributions that have often been sidelined in traditional narratives.

After grounding themselves in the historical context of the fight for equality, each student selected a significant Black figure whose life and legacy resonated with them personally. This research phase went beyond basic facts, encouraging students to uncover the "why" behind each person's achievements—whether in the realms of science, social justice, or the arts. To conclude the celebration, the classroom was transformed into an art studio where students produced original pieces inspired by their chosen figures. Using a variety of mediums, they translated complex themes of resilience and triumph into visual art, using symbols and color to tell the stories of those who paved the way for a more just future.

bessie coleman

By Vera

For my art piece, I chose to represent Bessie Coleman, who was a Black pilot and the first Black woman to earn her pilot’s license. Bessie Coleman impacts my life because I want to learn how to fly, and her determination to stand up for herself against racial comments and discouraging people in her life stands out to me. She should be remembered because she made a lasting impact that influenced how people thought about women, and more specifically, women of color.

My art piece represents Bessie by connecting her with her plane. Physically, she is connected to the plane, but to me, it represents that she was so deeply connected to flying that it shaped her life—so much so that she became part of it. The sky was the only place she felt free enough to truly live, so I used blue to represent her favorite place, and I added birds to make the piece more realistic. Finally, I added one of her quotes to show how passionate she was about flying and to provide an example of her personality.

george washington carver

By Valor

I chose to honor George Washington Carver because I randomly found him while researching online. Since then, I have learned quite a bit about this historical figure. I learned that he developed hundreds of unique products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. I believe George Washington Carver should be remembered for his many agricultural innovations, including products like Worcestershire sauce. I like Worcestershire sauce because of its unique tangy taste and how useful it is in cooking.

My art piece reflects his lifestyle through its historical appearance and mostly gray color scheme. I also included repeated images of peanuts and wheat, along with quotes from him, to represent his work and contributions.

Simone biles

By Renlee

I chose Simone Biles because she is known as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She has won multiple Olympic gold medals and more World Championship medals than any other gymnast. Simone is known for performing incredibly difficult moves with precision and power. She is also a mental health advocate. I look up to Simone because she is a role model of strength, confidence, hard work, skill, and self-care. My art project reflects her life by showing her posture, beaming smile, and pride in the performance she just landed. To show this, I used powerful reds like a flame that is burning bright and impossible to ignore. I also included the Olympic rings to represent the sport she is passionate about. One thing that surprised me about Simone was that she was homeschooled for part of her childhood so she could practice more. Simone reminds me that nothing is impossible, movement is art, and hard work pays off.

marsha P. Johnson

By Kailey

Marsha P. Johnson was a drag queen and an important advocate for homeless, gay, and transgender rights. I chose Marsha because she performed in drag, and I like fashion and clothes. I think she should be remembered because she identified as a woman and supported transgender women. Drag performances mattered to Marsha because she wanted people to see her identity and who she was. She once said that she was no one before drag.

When I made the art picture of Marsha, I used watercolors and then used colored pencils to make the flowers, nose, and facial expressions more visible. I chose to recreate a picture of Marsha because I liked the flowers on her head and her dress. I also liked the hot pink color and how it looked silky.

rosa parks

By Arianna

I did a watercolor painting of Rosa Parks sitting on the Montgomery bus, aiming to show the quiet strength of her historic, defiant act. I chose watercolors for this piece because the soft, blended tones allowed me to create a hopeful atmosphere, emphasizing the weight of December 1, 1955. In the painting, I focused on her calm, resolute facial expression as she looks out the window, reflecting on her refusal to give up her seat.

The background of the bus interior is painted with mostly browns, tans, and a black wash to highlight her as the central, vibrant figure of courage. Blues and grays fill the scene, representing the quiet dignity she maintained during her interaction with the driver. I made sure to place her near the front of the “colored section,” which I hope draws attention to the specific, pivotal moment when she took a stand by sitting down.

Overall, this painting is my personal homage to a woman whose quiet resistance sparked a revolution, serving as a reminder that change can begin with a simple “no.” That is why I chose to draw Rosa Parks.

barack obama

By Jackson

I chose to honor Barack Obama because he was the first Black president of the United States. I look up to Obama because he was a huge step in breaking the racial barrier. We should remember Obama because of his sacrifice and his determination to never give up. I used colored pencils to represent his life, which I see as hopeful because he always tried to do what he felt was right.

serena williams

By Parker

For Black History Month, I chose to paint Serena Williams. Serena Williams is a famous tennis player who suffered a lot of racial hate in her career. I chose her because she was courageous and brave enough to continue competing. She once said, “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” This means a good athlete should not just be defined by their wins, but by whether they can have a good attitude when they lose or get defeated. Serena should be remembered because she has many accomplishments, not just in tennis. She broke racial, cultural, and gender barriers. She showed the people who made fun of her what she could actually do and that just because she is a certain gender or a different race does not mean she cannot do the same things as others. When I was painting, I decided to paint her top pink to represent her favorite color and to resemble one of the outfits she wore while competing. In one of her matches, she wore a white top and a pink and white tennis skirt. Not only did she defeat racial barriers, but she also won many gold medals. With her sister Venus, they won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and multiple Olympic gold medals. Serena is a great athlete and amazing human.

martin luther king jr.

By Madison

This watercolor painting helps explain that Martin Luther King Jr. was not just a person, but a thoughtful, calm leader who chose to meet hatred with love and understanding. The watercolor represents how he brought people together, creating a beloved community by blending different colors. The soft, blended edges, paired with a firm, defined expression, symbolize how he used nonviolent methods to cut without wounding, meaning he fought hard against racism without resorting to violence himself.

This art piece represents his role as a spiritual leader and a person who was willing to accept suffering without retaliation in order to change the world’s perspective. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who became the most prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He profoundly changed the world’s perspective on Black Americans. By leading major events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, he demonstrated that dignity and strength could overcome legalized segregation. His powerful oratory and “I Have a Dream” speech forced a global audience to confront the harsh realities of American racism. Furthermore, King’s commitment to nonviolence during violent attacks—such as those in Birmingham—generated widespread media attention, swayed public opinion, and helped lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

frederick douglas

By Madelyn

In my art piece, I chose to honor Frederick Douglass for his bravery and courage during the Civil War. During the Civil War, Douglass fought for African Americans to have the same rights as white settlers. At the end of his life, Frederick Douglass and many other African American men were able to vote. Years after he died in 1895, African American women were also granted the right to vote in 1920. I honored him for the bravery he showed, even though he would not live to see all African Americans able to vote. He inspired so many people to fight for Civil Rights and not to settle for the injustices African Americans faced. He acknowledged that even if you work for something, you may not get rewarded, but that people must work for everything they get. During his lifetime, he published three books about his life and the injustice of slavery. He inspired so many people, and that was my main reason for honoring him in my painting.

malcom x

By Deacon

Malcolm X stood for many things, but his fight for Black rights stands out the most. I used red spray paint to represent the unnecessary bloodshed that was spilled over Black rights. I used blue and purple to represent the sadness that Black people felt during this time. I used yellow to represent the happiness people felt when they finally gained their rights.

jesse owens

By Skye

I chose to honor Jesse Owens because he was one of the first Black athletes to win gold medals at the Olympics. He won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, showing the world that talent and determination matter more than race. His victories challenged unfair beliefs at the time.

In my artwork, I used patriotic colors to show that he represented America when he won his gold medals. I wanted to highlight how important his achievement was, not just for himself, but for other Black athletes who came after him. Jesse Owens showed courage by competing at a time when many people doubted him. That is why I chose to represent him in my art.

chuck cooper

By Grayson

For my art piece, I chose to honor Chuck Cooper, who was an outstanding basketball player and the first Black player drafted into the NBA. I think people should know about him because he proved that it was not impossible for a Black athlete to join the NBA. Today, a large percentage of NBA players are Black, showing how much the league has changed since Chuck Cooper joined. He should be remembered because he opened the door for many players who came after him. He reminds me that anything is possible, no matter what your skin color is. I used green spray paint to show the color of the Boston Celtics. I also used shading to make the picture look older, representing the time period when he played.

michelle obama

By Shaden

The Obama family is particularly important. But Michelle Obama is one of the most important members. She was the first Black First Lady, which is an extremely big accomplishment. A First Lady is the president’s wife. She is also a lawyer who helps people. This is why she is so great.

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