Three students read an original poem at the assembly.

Morton East held a Black History Month assembly Thursday, February 26, to honor the achievements, culture, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history.

Black History Month, celebrated every February, was first established in 1926 as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson and later expanded to a month in 1976. It recognizes the accomplishments of individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Katherine Johnson, while also highlighting the ongoing impact of Black culture on society.

According to Google AI, “A Black History Month assembly can be a powerful, engaging, and educational event for students of all ages. Effective ideas include student-led performances (poems, songs, stepping), guest storytellers focusing on historical figures, interactive, tech-focused presentations, and displays showcasing Black history and culture,” Google AI said.

Students shared what they were hoping to gain from the assembly.

“Something I want students to learn about the assembly is to be open-minded and to learn new things, because I feel like last year they weren’t paying attention and took it as a joke, but it’s something serious and good to learn about,” Talisa Rockett said.

Mr. Martin Reyes, social studies teacher, emphasized the importance of celebrating Black achievement within the school community.

“We wanted to send out a clear message this year that Black brilliance is inside the school, so there are no outside speakers and no outside performers. We just want a clear message that there is Black brilliance in this school,” Mr. Reyes said.

The assembly included an interesting video in which Morton East Black students answered questions about their culture, providing personal insights and highlighting the diversity of experiences within the school.

After the assembly, students shared their impressions.

“It was a nice assembly. Not what I had in mind—I thought there were going to be outside people performing—but other than that it was nice, and there was a very powerful meaning,” Fabian Iracheta said.

The assembly also featured performances by the Morton West jazz band and student-led poems, highlighting the creativity and talent of the school community. By celebrating both historical figures and student contributions, the event emphasized that Black history is not only part of the past but also alive and thriving in the present.

Did You Know?

• Black History Month started as Negro History Week in 1926, created by historian Carter G. Woodson.
• Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington.
• Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat in 1955.
• Maya Angelou was a celebrated poet, author, and civil rights activist.
• Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, helped calculate the trajectories for early space missions.