Baldwin UFSD Celebrates Black History Month

Throughout February, the Baldwin Union Free School District honored the achievements and contributions of African Americans. A diverse range of events and activities were organized to highlight the rich cultural heritage and history of the Black community.

Students engaged in classroom discussions, presentations, and projects that focused on influential figures in Black history, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman. Furthermore, art exhibits, performances, and literary readings showcased the talent and creativity of Black artists and writers, deepening the understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of Black culture.

District-Wide Collaboration with the African American History Museum

Baldwin Union Free School District established an exclusive partnership with the African American History Museum of Nassau County, where 65 students from grades K-12 submitted artwork and literary pieces, including poetry, for an exhibit dedicated to Black History Month. The exhibit remained on display throughout February. Baldwin UFSD is proud to be the first and only district to create such a collaboration with the museum. An official opening night ceremony was held to honor the students, their creations, and the exhibit's significance in celebrating Black History Month, where approximately 200 members of the Baldwin community attended. The exhibit was covered by News 12, The Patch and the Baldwin Herald.  

Individual School Initiatives

Baldwin High School

Baldwin High School’s Student Government proudly unveiled this year’s Black History Month project, featuring a large “Joy” display in the Commons. The installation showcased quotes and images highlighting inspirational Black figures, and students had the opportunity to continue adding to the display with messages on Post-it notes throughout the month of February. As part of the celebration, students also powerfully captured what “Black Joy” means to them through a montage of photos and video. All photos were taken and edited by junior Mekhi St. Louime, while the video was filmed and edited by senior Fahiem Jenkins. Students featured in the project received multiple staff nominations in recognition of their character and impact. View the Black History Month “Black Joy” Project, Featuring Student Interviews and More >> 

Under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Shawn Moran, students in the Video Production class also used film as a medium to honor Black History Month. They created a series of informative videos featuring student and staff interviews that highlighted voices from across the Baldwin Union Free School District community. Each video was thoughtfully connected to a historically significant event related to Black History Month that occurred on a specific day during the last week of February. This special project allowed students to blend research, storytelling, and production skills while recognizing and celebrating important moments in history. Watch videos >>

In addition, the district Baldwin High School senior Bruce Revels III recently published a historical novel inspired by the life of his third great-grandfather, Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first Black U.S. Senator.

Baldwin Middle School

Baldwin Middle School will celebrate Black History Month through artistic expression. Dean Rosemarie Socci, in collaboration with students and teachers, is organizing a special assembly that will feature dance, poetry, and monologues inspired by the lives and contributions of Black Americans. Now an annual tradition, the event will be attended by students in grades 6–8, among other special guests. Due to the recent blizzard, the assembly will be rescheduled for a later date.

Brookside Elementary School

Brookside Elementary School proudly commemorated Black History Month by transforming our facility into an African American Museum of History. This significant, schoolwide event showcased the learning, reflection, and collaboration of students from every grade level.

Students in grades K–3 crafted museum exhibits that highlighted important and influential Black figures. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth grade students worked together to create a Living Museum experience. They selected notable individuals from the African American community, researched their historical and contemporary contributions, and brought these figures to life by dressing in costumes and presenting as if they were the individuals themselves. All Brookside students toured the museum, promoting a shared learning experience that emphasized respect, curiosity, and appreciation for the diverse contributions to our nation’s history. The event served not only as a celebration of the past but also as a future-focused learning opportunity aligned with the district’s Future Ready Competencies.

Lenox Elementary School

Lenox Elementary School will host a Black History Month assembly in celebration of this year’s theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marking 100 years since the observance began. In January, students also attended a special assembly hosted by the PTA that was also dedicated to Black History Month featuring a laser light show tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and on his birthday, the school community honored his legacy of kindness and service by reflecting on his words: “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Inspired by this message, the Lenox Student Council and the fifth grade graduating class of 2026 partnered to collect school supplies for students in Jamaica. 
 

Meadow Elementary School

Meadow Elementary School held their Black History Month Assembly in partnership with the PTA. Meadow was the first of several assemblies and activities happening across the district this February and March (due to the inclement weather) to pay tribute to Black History. The lively event featured a guest performance by Napoleon Revels-Bey, a local jazz musician who created a special program with his band to honor Black History Month. Both lead singer and drummer, as he performed and engaged the crowd, he shared tidbits about the history of jazz. For instance, he explained how African musical traditions influenced Spanish music centuries before 1492, reflecting the long history of African presence in the Iberian Peninsula.

The gymnasium was decorated with posters resulting from a special Black History Month group project in the classes of Mrs. Morgan Maus, Mrs. Pria Das, and Mrs. Rebecca Watts. Students researched notable African Americans and designed posters to showcase their findings. Utilizing skills from the Becoming Experts: Reading Nonfiction unit, they focused on identifying new insights, posing questions, and integrating ideas from various nonfiction sources. Their research was synthesized by organizing information by topic, showcasing an advanced understanding of the subject matter. This initiative embodied the Baldwin 2035 vision by fostering collaboration and exploration, building significant relationships, and linking classroom learning to real-world change. The posters were exhibited during the Black History Month assembly, highlighting individuals who contributed to progress and equity in their communities.

Plaza Elementary School

The djembe orchestra is one of the earliest classical forms of music in the world, carrying rhythms that have been passed down through generations from ancient West Africa to today. Plaza Elementary School had the wonderful opportunity to learn these traditional beats and explore the cultural stories, songs, and lessons that come from the art of playing the djembe drum.

Thanks to the PTA, students from Kindergarten through 5th grade—along with all staff—were fully immersed in this powerful musical experience. The energy, history, and joy shared through the djembe helped them celebrate Black History Month in a meaningful and memorable way.

Steele Elementary School

Steele School hosted a special gala in honor of Black History Month as part of its Founders Day celebration. In addition, meaningful classroom activities took place throughout the building. For example, second graders in Ms. Nancy Aquino’s class researched influential African American heroes and proudly presented their projects. Students had the opportunity to showcase the hard work they put into their research, sharing the many new facts and important insights they discovered. They were excited to celebrate their learning and present their findings to others.