Music pulsed through the gym. Students clapped in rhythm. Voices rang out with confidence and pride. On stage and in the audience, joy was unmistakable. At St. Benedict School, celebrating Black History Month became a vibrant, school-wide celebration of identity, creativity, and belonging.
From a powerful kick-off assembly to a student-created Black Brilliance video, from a Black hair and identity art project to a rap, poetry, and visual art contest, the month was filled with opportunities for students to learn, lead, and express themselves. The celebration also included a school-wide Jerusalema Dance Challenge and culminated in an end-of-month assembly showcasing student performances and learning.
At the heart of it all was one clear commitment: student voice would lead the way.
Students Were Not Just Participants. They Were Leaders.
For Educator Fehintola Otujo, centring student voices was intentional.
“Student voice was at the heart of everything we did during Black History Month,” she shared. “Students were not just participants; they were leaders, presenters, and performers.”
In the Black Brilliance video, students were invited to express their identities in meaningful ways. One moment, in particular, captured the spirit of the month. A student introduced herself proudly by sharing her Nigerian name and its meaning: Ayomide, “my joy has come.”
“It reflected confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging,” Otujo explained. “Students felt safe and affirmed to share who they are and where they come from.”
That sense of affirmation rippled throughout the school. Students shared personal stories about their heritage through art, dance, music, readings, and video storytelling. The Black hair and identity art project sparked conversation and reflection. The rap, poetry, and visual art contest gave students new ways to express their learning. The Jerusalema Dance Challenge invited the entire school to move together in celebration.
By intentionally creating space for students to lead, speak, and create, the month reflected authentic student voices rather than an adult-designed narrative.
Moments of Joy, Pride, and Unity
When asked which moments stood out most, Otujo pointed to the power of collective affirmation.
“Several moments stood out, but the most powerful were when students confidently shared affirmations such as ‘I am enough,’ and when they performed together through choir and student-led movement, including Waka Waka. It created a strong sense of unity, shared joy, and connection across our school community.”
On stage and in the audience, students supported one another, celebrated one another, and took pride in their voices and work. Confidence was visible. Joy was contagious. Belonging was tangible.
Families as Partners in Celebration
The impact extended beyond the classroom.
“The feedback from families and community members was overwhelmingly positive,” Otujo shared. “Parents expressed genuine gratitude for being invited into the school space and for seeing their children celebrated in such meaningful and affirming ways.”
Many families shared that they felt proud, welcomed, and deeply moved by the confidence and joy students displayed. They appreciated that the programming was inclusive, celebratory, and truly centred on student voice.
In bringing families into the learning, St. Benedict strengthened the connection between school, home, and community.
Beyond a Month
While February provided a focused opportunity to celebrate Black history and identity, the learning will continue.
“This month reinforced the importance of designing inclusive programming that extends beyond one-time events,” Otujo reflected. “It highlighted the power of students seeing themselves reflected in both the curriculum and the culture of the school.”
Moving forward, inclusive programming at St. Benedict will continue to prioritize student voice, family engagement, and meaningful opportunities for leadership. The experience reaffirmed that inclusion thrives when students, staff, and families work together.
“This initiative demonstrated what is possible when a school commits to equity, collaboration, and joy,” Otujo said. “It was not only a celebration of Black History Month, but a reflection of our school’s core values: belonging, respect, and community.”
Most of all, it was a reminder of something simple and powerful: when students are given space to share who they are, their joy truly flourishes.
