Black History Month
The Shape of Memory: Honoring Places of Black Resistance, Community and Opportunity
Celebrated in February, Black History Month is dedicated to honoring the many contributions of African Americans to our community, culture and history. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
As we mark Black History Month, it is a time to honor the many contributions and legacies of African Americans from activists and civil rights pioneers to leaders in culture, industry, science and more. This year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how African Americans resisted oppression. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) reflects on honoring places of Black resistance in our own community.
Stories
![Student Spotlight for Black History Month: ACHS Theatre Department]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677177437/acpsk12vaus/rd2d79jy3mqs8bs6rdxy/bhmtheater.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677177437/acpsk12vaus/rd2d79jy3mqs8bs6rdxy/bhmtheater.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1677177437/acpsk12vaus/rd2d79jy3mqs8bs6rdxy/bhmtheater.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1677177437/acpsk12vaus/rd2d79jy3mqs8bs6rdxy/bhmtheater.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1677177437/acpsk12vaus/rd2d79jy3mqs8bs6rdxy/bhmtheater.jpg","width":1400}])
A platform for social justice has grown from the partnership between the Alexandria City High School Theatre Department and the Black Student Union.
![Student Spotlight for Black History Month: ACHS Black Student Union]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676578252/acpsk12vaus/wgytwgk1wbwhtql30mwl/BlackHistoryMonth.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676578252/acpsk12vaus/wgytwgk1wbwhtql30mwl/BlackHistoryMonth.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1676578252/acpsk12vaus/wgytwgk1wbwhtql30mwl/BlackHistoryMonth.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1676578252/acpsk12vaus/wgytwgk1wbwhtql30mwl/BlackHistoryMonth.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676578252/acpsk12vaus/wgytwgk1wbwhtql30mwl/BlackHistoryMonth.jpg","width":1400}])
Black Student Union President Miracle Gross calls the Alexandria City High School club a proactive force comprised of collective souls amplifying Black student voices to create change.
![Black History Month Partner & Volunteer Highlight: Alexandria African American Hall of Fame]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675988029/acpsk12vaus/xjvtypengggvvrcexyfc/Halloffame3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675988029/acpsk12vaus/xjvtypengggvvrcexyfc/Halloffame3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675988029/acpsk12vaus/xjvtypengggvvrcexyfc/Halloffame3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1675988029/acpsk12vaus/xjvtypengggvvrcexyfc/Halloffame3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675988029/acpsk12vaus/xjvtypengggvvrcexyfc/Halloffame3.jpg","width":1400}])
The Alexandria African American Hall of Fame honors the legacy of influential Black individuals who helped shape the City of Alexandria into the community it is today.
![Supe’s Spotlight: February Video Message]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675365128/acpsk12vaus/pcbewf217oys2ti6zqnq/supespotlight.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675365128/acpsk12vaus/pcbewf217oys2ti6zqnq/supespotlight.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675365128/acpsk12vaus/pcbewf217oys2ti6zqnq/supespotlight.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1675365128/acpsk12vaus/pcbewf217oys2ti6zqnq/supespotlight.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675365128/acpsk12vaus/pcbewf217oys2ti6zqnq/supespotlight.jpg","width":1400}])
The focus is on equity in February’s Supe’s Spotlight as we celebrate Black History Month, mark 100 days in school and open our third annual Equity for All Climate Survey.
![ACPS Honors Black Resistance, Community and Opportunity During Black History Month]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675365127/acpsk12vaus/bcgr3o1vdocccjbxb9du/bhmkickoff.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675365127/acpsk12vaus/bcgr3o1vdocccjbxb9du/bhmkickoff.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675365127/acpsk12vaus/bcgr3o1vdocccjbxb9du/bhmkickoff.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1675365127/acpsk12vaus/bcgr3o1vdocccjbxb9du/bhmkickoff.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675365127/acpsk12vaus/bcgr3o1vdocccjbxb9du/bhmkickoff.jpg","width":1400}])
As we mark Black History Month, Alexandria City Public Schools reflects on honoring places of Black resistance in our own community.
![ACPS Participates in Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Pilgrimage]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666321876/acpsk12vaus/nfxmg8j1qeun33qusu2o/rememberanceproject.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1666321876/acpsk12vaus/nfxmg8j1qeun33qusu2o/rememberanceproject.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1666321876/acpsk12vaus/nfxmg8j1qeun33qusu2o/rememberanceproject.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1666321876/acpsk12vaus/nfxmg8j1qeun33qusu2o/rememberanceproject.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1666321876/acpsk12vaus/nfxmg8j1qeun33qusu2o/rememberanceproject.jpg","width":1536}])
Alexandria City Public Schools was well represented at the Oct. 6-10, 2022 pilgrimage to the Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL.
Resources
Social Spotlight
Use #ACPSBlackHistoryMonth to celebrate Hispanic heritage across our 18 schools and the larger ACPS community.