The Steward School is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of lessons and events for students in all divisions. Black History Month, held nationally every February,  honors the contributions of Black people from all periods of U.S. history. Below is a sampling of some of the activities that are taking place at Steward. 

For the past several weeks, junior kindergartners have been learning about several influential Black heroes, including Ruby Bridges, Arthur Ashe, Kwame Alexander, and Barack Obama. 

“Exploring these Black heroes and the contributions they made to society has been fun,” said Junior Kindergarten Teacher Robbin Hataway. “Students also participated in role-playing about Rosa Parks and crafted stop lights in honor of Garret Morgan, inventor of the first traffic light.”

Throughout February, students in grades 3-5 are exploring Black history through picture books such as “28 Days,” “Undefeated,” and “Young, Gifted and Black,” which highlight influential people and pivotal moments that changed the world. Students created visual representations of their learning, which are displayed in the halls and provide an opportunity for all to gain insight into the powerful stories, people, and words in Black history.

Lower School Librarian Carlee Smith has curated a collection of books for young readers that highlight Black history makers. From picture books to biographies, there is something for every Lower Schooler! Two examples from the many books on display: “There Was a Party for Langston,” a picture book, celebrates the enduring influence of poet Langston Hughes, while “Jerry Changed the Game” is a biography of Jerry Lawson, one of the first Black computer engineers. 

In January 2025, Steward welcomed Civil Rights activist Joan Mulholland to the Beloved Community RVA conference for Middle and Upper Schoolers. This month, after watching portions of the movies “Selma” and “Glory” and learning about the Reconstruction era, seventh graders in Middle School History Teacher Wallace Inge’s class researched several Civil Rights activists, including Ms. Mulholland, Amanda Gorman, and Thurgood Marshall. They then created a slideshow of their research and wrote thank-you notes to the activists; the notes are displayed on a colorful bulletin board in the Middle School.

“We found connections between these activists’ lives and work to virtues found in Steward’s honor code, such as integrity and respect,” explained Mr. Inge. “I’m proud of the work the students have done in investigating Civil Rights; we focused on how rights were denied and won from the 1860s to the 1960s.” He added, “We learned about and celebrated many of the people who continue to fight for equal rights.”

Middle School Science Teacher Betsy Orgain’s students are learning about prominent Black Americans in the sciences. Students are researching Mae Jemison, the first Black female astronaut, and Ben Carson, a well-known neurosurgeon and politician. After the students complete their research, they will share their findings in class and discuss the prejudice these famous pioneers faced in their personal and professional lives. 

In the Middle/Upper School Library, a bulletin board on display illustrates the significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)  — institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to primarily serve Black citizens. As always, Middle/Upper School Librarian Crystal Hamlin welcomes students to stop by and ask for book recommendations. 

“In addition, I’ve put together a collection of books, ‘Celebrate Black Authors and Stories,’ which students can access in our library catalog, said Ms. Hamlin. 

A gallery of posters on display in the Upper School reflects the historical and modern achievements of Black heroes. Posters include images of Madam C.J. Walker, Katherine Johnson, Bayard Rustin, and others. 

“The seniors in Upper School Academic Dean Elizabeth Simpson’s class created a walking guide to accompany the gallery and set aside a space where students can leave notes, comments, and reactions to the display,” explained Humanities Teacher and Upper School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison Trevor Smith. “They also put up several small posters throughout the building. Each of these has small slips of paper attached to them with significant and inspiring quotes. We encourage students to find and take one that resonates with them for future reference and contemplation.” Teachers in all divisions will take their students through the exhibit, which is suitable for all ages.