Rocky Mount Prep Celebrates Black History Month

What began in 1926 as Negro History Week became Black History Month in 1976 (fifty years later). February was chosen because it was the birthday month of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Carter G. Woodson (a Harvard-trained historian) and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.

This year at the Dunn Center, Rocky Mount Prep School celebrated their Black heritage with the theme "Black Resistance - Overcoming and Breaking Barriers."

Mr. Aaron Edmonston, dean of culture for grades six through twelve, welcomed attendees saying, "As we bring a deeper focus to the Black history, Black resistance, and Black culture this evening, we are going to have representation from elementary, middle, and high school come, celebrate, and discover the stories of African Americans in the United States and Black people from around the world. And as we begin to hack the stories of African Americans from across the world, I want you to understand this, that Black American history is American history."

From kindergartners to staff members to the PTA, everyone shared their oratory, songs, and interpretive dance to honor our rich heritage.

Dr. Jeaninne Wallace, director of instruction for grades nine through twelve, sang "I Won’t Complain." Before she sang, Dr. Wallace shared, "This year's theme of Black resistance speaks to us as a people individually, and collectively our belief, strength, faith in God has been a bedrock for us. The good, the bad, the ups, the downs, life and death, classism, racism, sexism, discrimination, challenges, successes, failures, you name it. We have had it all, been through it all, and seen it all. Yet, we as a people are resilient, we are strong, we are determined. And so I stand before you tonight unapologetically Black. Unapologetically woman. Unapologetically Christian. Say in the midst of it all, I won’t complain."

Although it has been three years since Rocky Mount Prep has had such a celebration, it has been well worth the wait!

Please stay tuned to our social media for some more pictures and videos from our program.