Kent Denver Celebrates Black History Month

Saturday, February 1 marked the start of Black History Month, and in the latest installment of our Voices of Kent Denver video series, vocalist Olivia James—who’s also a Guest Artist in our Upper School music classes—discusses the importance of Black history and shares how she aims to use music as a way to inspire students. She joined our Middle and Upper School assemblies last month for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and led students on a journey through the history of music as it relates to the Civil Rights movement—focusing on themes like resilience, resistance and joy.  

Throughout February, Kent Denver will be highlighting Black history and culture in a variety of ways. Later this month, a special assembly for the Upper School dedicated to Black History Month will feature a stepping routine by performance artists. There are also informative slides on the screens around campus that feature influential Black figures and their impact on history, as well as profiles of Black chefs on display in the dining hall.

At Kent Denver, we bring diversity of perspective into classroom spaces and social spaces as a matter of academic excellence throughout the year. Heritage and history months, like Black History Month, are invitations to remind ourselves of the stories and gifts our communities are built upon.