Black History Celebrated By Marlboro High School

Marlboro High School students Amya White (left) and Glavanah Dumas learn to play along on the drums with the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble at the Black History Jamboree on February 28.
Marlboro High School students Amya White (left) and Glavanah Dumas learn to play along on the drums with the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble at the Black History Jamboree on February 28.

MARLBORO – Marlboro High School’s Students Empowering Equality (S.E.E.) Club hosted an educational and fun evening celebrating black history on February 28, the final day of Black History Month.

The Black History Jamboree featured an assortment of delicious food, a display of books written by prominent African American authors, and a lively performance by the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble. The ensemble’s frontman, Kofi Donko, who is an internationally renowned master drummer, spoke to guests about his native country of Ghana, shared information about the colorful garments the band members wore, and gave lessons on the different drums and rhythms the musicians played.

This is the second year that Students Empowering Equality has been a club at Marlboro High School. Led by Marlboro Elementary School Grade 3 teacher Aneisha Cunningham-Green, club members meet about once a month to exchange ideas and discuss multicultural awareness. Since its inception, the club has grown to about 25 members.

From left to right: Marlboro High School students Tash-mir Eggleston, Tamir Bass, and Isiah Fitchett dance along to the music played by their classmates and the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble at the Black History Jamboree, hosted by the Students Empowering Equality Club on February 28.
From left to right: Marlboro High School students Tash-mir Eggleston, Tamir Bass, and Isiah Fitchett dance along to the music played by their classmates and the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble at the Black History Jamboree, hosted by the Students Empowering Equality Club on February 28.

“The mission of the club is to provide a safe space where students feel comfortable expressing their feelings pertaining to inequalities,” said Cunningham-Green. “Our goal is to encourage both students and staff to acknowledge that cultural diversity can empower equality and unity within our school community.”

She added that “Although the Jamboree was held as a culminating event for Black History Month, it is important to keep in mind that black history should be celebrated every day.”
During the event, which took place in the High School cafeteria, Donko encouraged the students to explore African culture and rhythm. “It connects us to each other and to nature,” he said.

One highlight of the night came when several students were invited to play various percussion instruments with the band, while others were encouraged to learn some of the dance moves. The students then put on an impressive, impromptu performance as their classmates in the audience eagerly joined in–clapping, dancing and engaging in “call and response” chanting. The event concluded with poetry readings, with a stirring rendition of Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” read by Janeal Clersainville.

“This event was truly beautiful,” said S.E.E. member Glavanah Dumas, who was invited to play drums with the band. “I am beyond ecstatic that our dream was able to come to fruition, and we were able to learn about black history.”

Amya White, another S.E.E. member who also volunteered to play drums, shared the same enthusiasm. “Seeing everyone exiting their comfort zone and trying new things really showed the true beauty of the club,” she said.

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