Students prepare for reimagined Black History Fest
Emily Kemper | The Chronicle
The Mason Intermediate (MI) Black History Bowl has been a beloved event in Mason schools since 2007, where fifth-grade students compete in teams to answer trivia about Black historical figures and events. Now, the Mason High School (MHS) Black Student Union (BSU) is helping to open the celebration to the rest of the community with the third annual Black History Fest, taking place on February 28.
The Black History Fest is an event with a wide variety of activities and local businesses represented. One main draw is live music from the YOLO band, a Cincinnati-based R&B band, as well as free African and soul food sampling from Divine Appetite Cafe. Other activities include Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) activities, a Black-owned business showcase, a family Black history trivia contest and performances from Black students and staff.
MI fifth grade STEAM teacher Nicholas Washington said the years of overwhelming success of the Black History Bowl was the catalyst for starting the Black History Fest. By combining elements of the Black History Bowl, like the new family-battle bowl, with live music, food and other family activities, he hoped to spread the celebration of Black history at MI to a larger audience.
“The very first year the attendance was amazing – I could not have imagined the turnout,” Washington said. “I just look forward to seeing people of all walks of life, no matter gender, age, race, your political views, your religion; seeing all those differences come together and be able to just enjoy and be a part of something amazing.”
This year the MHS BSU is helping to organize and volunteer at this event as a way to help educate the Mason community about Black history and culture. BSU president sophomore Josh Collins said he believes it is important for MHS to be represented at this community event to showcase its mission of celebrating Black history and culture.
“We are always trying to do something to celebrate during Black History Month,” Collins said. “As the BSU to the high school, we feel like it’s our responsibility to be a part of this. We need to remember what our people went through, celebrate it, and continue moving forward together.”
BSU vice president and sophomore Jaiyah Hendrix said that because Mason is so diverse, it can be easy to overlook the accomplishments of Black people in the past and present. She said that is why it is important to the BSU to keep celebrating those stories and emphasize that Black history is everybody’s history.
“We’re not just celebrating Black history for one month,” said Hendrix. “We’re making a year-round effort. BSU is here to celebrate, educate and make a lasting impact on the community.”
Senior Mariah Jackson, co-president of the BSU, shared the sentiment that it is important to keep remembering the stories of Black historical figures and celebrities. She said that one way the BSU is able to spread these stories to more people is by creating bi-weekly Instagram posts about Black public figures from the past and present.
“It’s important that history doesn’t repeat itself,” said Jackson. “I feel it’s really important to keep celebrating black history so that when we get to the future, we’re able to look back and see how far we’ve come.”
BSU secretary Mariam Ndiaye said that the club is preparing for the event by organizing volunteers to set up, clean up, and run activity stations. They are also partnering with the Mason Honors Choir to put on a performance at the event. Ndiaye said that after attending the event last year, she is most excited to support younger students for the Black History Bowl finals.
“We help with the MI Black History Bowl by reading out the questions, and it’s the end of the competition they’ve had all year,” Ndiaye said. “It’s really fun being with the younger kids because they look up to us.”
Along with the BSU, businesses in the Cincinnati area are preparing to participate in the Black-owned business showcase. Trina Madry, owner of a jewelry store named BeYOUtiful Baubles and Bling Boutique, is participating in the Black-owned business showcase for the second time, saying she had a great experience with the event last year. Madry said her business’ goal is to sell accessories that bring her customers confidence and fit their interests at an affordable price, with most of her pieces costing around five dollars.
“I love supporting endeavors that are about helping to expose culture to the community,” Madry said. “Because I don’t live in the Mason community, it is a great way for me to be able to expose so many more people to the business.”
Madry said that jewelry can be an important part of self-expression, which is why she carries accessories that relate to sports and activities and cultural identity, as well as pieces meant to inspire or boost the confidence of the wearer. Madry says that to prepare for an event like the Black History Fest, it is important to bring a wide variety of jewelry that appeals to people of different genders, ages and backgrounds so that she can help her customers find a piece that suits them best. For Madry, the Black History Fest is a way to gain exposure for BeYOUtiful Baubles and Bling Boutique while forming relationships in the community and celebrating Black history.
“To be able to talk to people about not only their jewelry needs but what’s going on in their individual lives that they want to express through jewelry has enabled me to touch and relate to so many more individuals,” Madry said. “We’re in a time and a place where people need hope and community, and we can get both of those things through an event like [the Black History Fest].”