Philadelphia's Black History Summit Celebrates 20 Years of Mandated Education
Educators, students, and community leaders recently gathered at Boys' Latin High School in Philadelphia for a summit on Black history education. The event marked two key milestones: the 20th anniversary of the city's mandate for African American history in high schools and the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Organisers stressed the need to keep teaching Black history alive, especially as debates over race-based curricula grow nationwide.
The summit brought together teachers like Edwin Perez and Amber Austin from the Baltimore County area. They joined discussions on community-focused education and planned to share insights with their students and colleagues. Workshops led by Black educators covered topics such as genealogy and teaching methods.
Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, called the event part of a 'learning arc' for both students and teachers. Attendees also contributed to a time capsule, celebrating two decades of Philadelphia's leadership in Black education.
In 2005, the School Reform Commission had voted unanimously to require African American history as a graduation condition for high schoolers. The summit also honoured the origins of Black History Month, which began in 1926 as 'Negro History Week'. Samuel Reed, a workshop host, urged students to explore and share their own stories, arguing that Black history should extend far beyond February.
The event equipped educators with tools to teach Black history year-round in ways rooted in community. It also highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve such education amid broader challenges. The time capsule and discussions will serve as a record of Philadelphia's commitment to this work.
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