In February, GCPS celebrated Black History Month, our richly diverse community, and the many contributions that Black Americans have made to our nation. While the pandemic changed the look and feel of some traditional Black History Month activities, our schools found innovative and interesting ways to engage students in these celebrations.
Schools planned activities around themes like “The Black Family Experience” and “Lift Every Voice.” Both in-person and virtual students had opportunities to participate in activities—from book talks, art contests, and gallery walks to virtual performances, virtual field trips, and interactive discussions with Black elected officials and community members about their work and experiences. Representative stories and authors were highlighted in classrooms, media centers, and virtual read-alouds, including yearlong Read Woke! initiatives that focus on diversity in literature.
Students studied all aspects of Black history across subject areas, competed in Black History Month “quiz bowl” events, researched and shared their findings on historical figures, created informative bulletin boards and hallway posters, learned about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, participated in spirit weeks, conducted interviews, wrote essays and opinion pieces, and more. In this photo gallery, find just a few of the many ways GCPS students celebrated Black History Month 2021. The gallery includes photos from Alcova ES, Archer HS, Bay Creek MS, Brookwood HS, Chesney ES, Corley ES, Discovery HS, Freeman’s Mill ES, Kanoheda ES, Lanier MS, Mill Creek HS, Mountain Park ES, North Metro Academy, Oakland Meadow, Pinckneyville MS, Radloff MS, Riverside ES, Rock Springs ES, Shiloh ES, Shiloh HS, Simpson ES, Stripling ES, and Sweetwater MS.
Check out these GCPS TV videos celebrating Black History Month, including a look at Black history in the school district's Social Studies curriculum and a conversation with a talented art teacher who celebrates Black history with murals made with... masking tape!
Black History in Gwinnett County Public Schools
“GCPS Moments in History” videos from GCPS TV look back at moments in the history of our county and Gwinnett County Public Schools. In these videos, four Black community members revisit their school days, changes in our community, and their support for our schools:
Rubye Neal – A Reflection on Hooper-Renwick School. Rubye Neal is a 1956 graduate from Hooper-Renwick School, the Lawrenceville high school for Black students that consolidated with Central Gwinnett HS in the late 1960s. In this video, Ms. Neal reflects on the segregated school’s history and shares a message for today’s students. (2017)
Eron Moore – Proud Graduate of Hooper-Renwick HS Looks Back. The late Eron Moore, another 1956 Hooper-Renwick graduate, talks about what it was like to go to school during segregation and reflects on how much things have changed. Moore MS was named for his wife, Robbie Susan Moore, who passed away in 2008. The Moores founded United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County and were longtime champions of our schools and students. (2017)
Melvin Everson – Continuing to Give Back. Melvin Everson, vice president of economic development at Gwinnett Technical College, looks back on his time as South Gwinnett HS PTSA president and shares the importance of being involved and giving back to your community, a legacy he inherited from his parents. (2019)
Thomas Livsey – Remembering the Promised Land. Thomas Livsey brings the past and present together as he reflects on his family’s legacy in Gwinnett County and the lasting impact it has on future generations. Mr. Livsey advocated for Anderson-Livsey ES to be named for two prominent Black families that have lived in the area for more than 100 years. (2020)