Students at the all-school assembly in the Dome sat perfectly silent on Tuesday, February 6. They listened to and watched compelling stories told by talented presenters to commemorate Black History Month.

Key speakers presented information about two influential African-Americans, one who helped put an end to slavery and another who spoke out about social justice issues in the United States of America. A third speaker discussed her experience as an African American teenager within the Walsh Jesuit community, and the assembly ended with an interpretive dance.

Junior Tierney Gabriel shared, “This assembly opened my eyes to the experiences others have had and how important it is to never lose sight of what people have gone through in the past, to never judge someone based on their race, gender or any other factor.”

First to speak was Herbert Burns, a professional storyteller. Burns assumed the persona of controversial NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick by “taking a knee.” Kaepernick knelt during the National Anthem before games during the 2016 NFL season to stand up for those who still face oppression, especially at the hands of police.

Freshman Jay Jones was most impressed with the interpretive dance performed by Venetia Draper, mime and choreographer for The Word Church in Cleveland. Jay thought that Draper’s dance and choice of song, “For Every Mountain,” worked perfectly together.

According to Jay, Draper’s moves really expressed the issues she wanted to communicate and “conveyed the struggles that eventually lead to freedom.”

Then another storyteller, Hazel Malone, portrayed Sojourner Truth, an African-American women’s and civil rights activist. During a stop in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth gave her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech, considered one of the most powerful in American history. The speech was a key component of Malone’s message as she shared the obstacles Truth overcame as a former slave.

Baylie Cleveland closed the assembly by sharing how Black History Month is important to her and what it is like attending Walsh Jesuit as the only female African American senior. Baylie’s account helped students see diversity in a new, more personal light.

Mrs. Kaneshia Crenshaw, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, put the assembly together. She wanted to get across “different ways of expression,” as shown through each speaker. Also, she pointed out that “faith is the center of everything; it is the cornerstone of our existence” and is one of the ways we cope with adversity. She hopes everyone will see African Americans in a different light, not just through all the negative things people tend to focus on.

Livy Weeks, a senior, thought the assembly presented an eye-opening experience. She stated, “It was great for the whole school because students often use derogatory words without realizing how they may affect someone, and many students do not have a filter when it comes to certain topics.”

She hopes that the assembly influenced many to change how they treat others, just as it influenced her.