On President’s Day, most students in the Twin Cities slept in, with school being the last place they wanted to be on their day off.
But, not for some teenagers in Washington County who arrived at East Ridge High School in Woodbury at 9 a.m. to take part in the county’s first Black History Month Student Social.
“It’s really an idea I had to celebrate students to make sure they feel seen, heard, valued, and celebrated here in our district,” said Naitoh Kai, cultural liaison at East Ridge High School.
The event was geared towards students in the district who identify as African American, Black or their allies. South Washington County Schools DEI Supervisor Ashley Acosta-Meyer said typically the school’s Black Student Union organizes an event for students during Black History Month, but the district wanted to take the lead this year. “We wanted them not to have to think about the planning or the details that go into it, but to have something done for them, to celebrate them, their passions and their interests,”
The half-day event drew a crowd of students who wanted to learn and celebrate their Black history. “Especially right now, it’s important to understand the effects of slavery and segregation and how those effects are prevalent today,” said Tolu Fajolu, a student at East Ridge High School and Black Student Union board member. “I’m passionate about culture and education. Events like this create an open space to learn with other students who have the same experience as you.”
After breakfast, the students went off to different classrooms to enjoy their chosen breakout sessions. Topics included afrobeats dance lessons, song creation using songwriting and recording elements, writing an origin story, and even navigating mental health as a teen. “Let’s talk about stress,” said Brandon Jones, while presenting a breakout session at the event. Jones is a mental health professional, advocate, and host of the teen mental health podcast titled “It’s Not Your Fault.” During his presentation, Jones highlighted types of stress and how the students can identify and navigate rising cortisol levels, even when faced with toxic stress or what he called “the big bad wolf of stress.”
Students learned from other industry insiders, like gaming experts at the on-site gaming truck, where they could ask questions about the latest in the gaming and streaming industry. Others got practical tips on leadership in school, work, sports and real life. “Ask questions and be curious,” was the advice of Sheletta Brundidge, with ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD) which sponsored the Black History Month Student Social. In opening remarks to the students, Brundidge encouraged them to be persistent. “It’s important they meet people face to face and get feedback and ask even more questions.”
As the first event of its kind in the district, students were grateful for the time to lift each other up, learn, dance, write, and connect. “I’m a military kid, so we’ve moved a lot of different places,” said Nevaeh Weakley, a sophomore at East Ridge High School. She chose a breakout session titled “Postmarked Black Joy,” where she designed and wrote her own postcard celebrating Black joy, identity, and culture using color, symbols, and words. “It’s really cool to learn more about yourself and your culture and have a way to connect with other people who are like you.”
After lunch from Raising Cane’s and time to socialize, the group walked away from a day at school on their day off, energized and supported, which was the exact goal according to Acosta-Meyer. “It’s just a further commitment from our district to make sure our students feel valued.”
