By Sara Gilbert P’26, ’29
This month, our Upper School students and members of the MICDS Black Student Union (BSU) enjoyed several events for Black History Month. From sharing at student assemblies about HBCUs and the Divine 9 to hosting a tailgate kickback event before back-to-back basketball games and attending Black Anthology’s annual production, students played a large role in honoring this reflective and educational month. Our BSU students then closed the series of events with a family potluck where they recapped the month’s successes and enjoyed food, laughter, and community. Many students were also involved in a culminating event produced by the Parents Association Passport Series.
On Monday, February 24, the MICDS community gathered in Brauer Hall to celebrate this year’s festivities led by Heather Day P’28, ’30, ’32, Chantelle Evans P’30, ’32, Tandra Taylor P’27, ’28, and Dorothy Bell P’28, ’31. They brought together a symphony of speakers and student performances that was enjoyed by an all-ages crowd.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Jana Haywood P’25, ’28, focused on the evening’s theme of Celebrating Changemakers which echoed the opening student performances by the MICDS Student Liturgical Dancers, Rylee Day ’28, Marjesta Ford ’29, Garryn Jackson ’29, Zion Perry ’29, Kiley Philips ’30, Fallon Randall ’31, and Aubriel Powell ’35. Evita Okohson-Reb ’26 performed her Prize Speaking interpretation of a passage from Anthony Doerr’s novel All the Light We Cannot See and the Upper School Virtuoso Orchestra performed Dr. Timothy Amukele’s composition Kandake.
Jaila Haywood ’25, Grace Griffin ’27, Collin Walker ’27, Jordyn Haywood ’28, and Maia Grant ’29 guided the audience as we explored changemakers within our MICDS community and broader society. Morgan Macam ’26 and Ryen Day ’30 were behind the scenes providing program technology and photography support.
Dr. Haywood’s examination of the changemaker’s inward journey towards having an impact in our communities gave the crowd of all ages space to reflect on their personal path during critical moments and the broader meaning those specific moments have as they ripple out throughout our lives.
The Parents Association Passport Series is very grateful to all of our student and parent leaders, performers and volunteers for their dedication to creating an impactful evening for all of us to enjoy.