This year’s Black History Month Assembly featured many different performances and guest speakers. The performances were from the African Student Union, the Banneker Choir, and the Piano Lab class in partnership with the Orchestra Club.
The African Student Union did a presentation with traditional dances such as Eskista, Gurage, and many more. They also showcased clothing from African countries such as Nigeria and Ethiopia, and the Dance Team performed a musical program with African roots.
The first musical performance was by Hudson Davis, Symyan Noel, and Jack Troutman Ritchey, who played a Blues Improv in F minor. The Banneker Choir also sang “We Shall Overcome”, which is an anthem for the civil rights movement.
Sophomore Jami George was the featured soloist for the song Summertime by George Gershwin. Originally written for the famous play “Porgy and Bess,” the song has been covered by many famous artists such as Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson, Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and Miles Davis.
As for the guest speakers, Gwen Marable, Rachel J. Webster, and Edie Lee-Harris, descendants of Benjamin Banneker, shared their personal connection to the man the school is named for.
Finally, John Thompson II, Senior Vice President of Monumental Basketball, spoke about the Washington Wizards basketball team’s decision to create uniforms that reflect how Banneker helped to survey the city’s boundaries. The team even brought t-shirts for every Banneker student to wear to remember our namesake’s connection to the city.
At the end of the assembly, the Piano Lab performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Students and staff stood to join in singing.
