Lift and Sing: SPS Kicks Off Black History Month
Summary: February is Black History Month, and SPS recognizes the contributions of all Black people – past and present – who continue to blaze a trail!
Black Lives Matter at School Week Proclamation
School Board meeting on Feb. 7, 2024, included a Black Lives Matter at School Week Proclamation during the Superintendent Comments.
SPS is participating in the Black Lives Matter at Schools Week of Action Feb. 5-9, 2024
Watch Superintendent Jones make the proclamation from the Seattle School Board dais.
SPS ushers in Black History Month with annual flag raising ceremony
In recognition of Black History Month, Seattle Public Schools held its 4th Annual Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremony on the front lawn of the John Stanford Center on Feb. 5. The day also marked the start of Black Lives Matter at School Week.
Nathan Hale High School principal, Dr. William Jackson, was one of the speakers.
His approach to centering justice, access, and racial equity in his work has earned him several awards. He was recently named the 2024 Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year.
In his speech, Jackson heaped praise upon Nathan Hale’s Black Student Union and school staff for helping Black students find their voice and think critically about race and Black identity.
Before introducing the superintendent, Chief of Staff Bev Redmond told the crowd that the word for 2024 is lift.
“We’ve got a long road ahead, but it’s no different than any other time,” Redmond said. “I believe we’re going to come out stronger … Keep lifting … We are a community. We’re a family – even on hard days.”
Superintendent Brent Jones said he was proud of the district for being a leader in racial advancement.
“On this occasion, we think about Black History Month as an event, but it’s the embodiment of what we do on a daily basis,” Dr. Jones said. “We’ve set forth an innovative strategic plan, innovative policies, innovative leaders, and we have been very intentional about that.”
After singing the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the crowd cheered as Superintendent Jones, Dr. Jackson, and Dr. Mia Williams raised the flag.
