Fresno Unified’s Black History Month Program Offers Evenings of Cultural Entertainment

Fresno, Calif. (KFSN) — February is Black History Month, and the Black Student Union at Fresno Union University will host its ninth annual Black History Month program on Wednesday evening.

Black History Month Project”Our History, Our Heritage, Our Strength” will be staged at the Audra McDonald Theater at Roosevelt High School.

It will be a fun-filled evening with cultural entertainment and special performances by a group of talented local teens.

The show, in partnership with Purposed II Praise Dance Studio, will also pay homage to African drumming and black poets—into the Harlem Renaissance.

Organizer Lisa Mitchell is FUSD’s Executive Director of African American Academic Acceleration.

“We’re always trying to focus on a history that people don’t know anything about, things that you don’t see in our history books,” Mitchell said.

Students from all over the district participated. Mitchell said everyone needs to know about black history, which is why partnering with other student organizations like Roosevelt Theater performers Abby Lopez and Nick Sterling will also be part of the program.

“It educated me so I knew more stuff because now reading the script I don’t know half the things that happen in the script,” Lopez said

Sterling will be an extra in the role while also helping props.

“I think it’s really important to get everyone involved so that everyone has a story and it’s their turn to tell that story,” Sterling said.

The initiative is sponsored by the district’s Black Student Union organization, which is composed primarily of African-American students.

Mitchell started BSU at Gaston Middle School when it first opened in 2014, all with the goal of uniting students and teaching them more about their culture.

“This is really a leadership club that allows our students to be leaders in our community and give back to their community, but at the same time learn about their history and feel proud of them as Black individuals,” Mitchell said.

BSU student Kaleah McArtor said she is grateful for her village. “It’s important to let people know that you have a community that supports you. It’s really hard with everything that’s going on in this world, and it’s so easy to feel lonely, so I think, so just having a family, a community that supports you is so important, “she says.

Doors open at 5pm, plus a preview this year starting at 5:30pm. The official program will begin at 6:00 pm.

Tickets to the show are $1, and all proceeds will support BSU clubs.

ABC30 is proud to be a sponsor of this event.