The celebration originated

through the work of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, who founded the Association

for the Study of Negro Life and History. Through the Association, Negro

History Week (renamed Black History Week in the 1970s) was created to

bring national attention to the accomplishments of African Americans and

to provide a more objective and scholarly balance to American and World

history. The observance was expanded in 1976 to become Black History Month.

The following schools' activities

were reported to the school system's Information and Community Relations

Department:

Banneker High School

Clubs and organizations have

been assigned a hall to decorate in the African colors of red, black,

green, and yellow. Red represents blood that has been shed, black represents

the people, green represents the land, and yellow represents wealth and

prosperity. Black history trivia questions also will be given each morning

and once a week, students can play an "Oldies Mix" game where

songs are scrambled and students have to identify the tune.

Campbell Elementary School

On February 7, "The Black

Cowboy" will be presented to all students. This play, produced by

the Storytellers of the American Frontier, emphasizes the contributions

of black men as cowboys, soldiers, and heroes on the American frontier.

Four performances (8:30, 9:30, 10:30 a.m., and 12 p.m.) will be held throughout

the day, and a live horse will be featured in the play.

Heritage Elementary School

On February 11 at 7 p.m., students

will perform "Boy, Don't You Know." The one-act play chronicles

the historical roots of African Americans, from enslaved black men and

women to the wonders of the Harlem Renaissance to the present where we

see celebrities including Colin Powell, Michael Jordan, and tennis stars

Venus and Serena Williams.

Tri-Cities High School

On February 21-23, the Tri-Cities

Performing Arts magnet students will perform "The River Niger,"

which was the first African American play to win a Tony Award. Bulletin

boards featuring contributions of famous black Americans will be displayed

throughout the school, and guest speakers have been invited to visit classrooms

during the month.