Black History block party builds community

Chilly weather couldn’t keep the community from coming together as Cleveland Elementary and Bennett’s Mill Middle teamed up for a Black History Month Block Party earlier this February.

Visitors were able to take a walk through history and view displays created by students to celebrate Black History Month. At Bennett’s Mill, student finalists from school-wide art and writing contests had their works displayed. Cleveland Elementary students designed displays called the ABCs of Black History. Each classroom received a letter of the alphabet, and they were tasked with creating educational displays around words starting with that letter that relate to Black History.

The celebration included an outdoor market with more than 50 vendors, including black-owned businesses, along with music, dancing, food, contests, and a chance to smash a pie in a teacher’s face.

In addition to many volunteers, the party was made possible in part by a grant of $1,000 to each school from the Fayette County Education Foundation to help the schools offset expenses.