Written by Communications Department Intern, Dalesha Jeanty
In early February, students from Maine East, Maine South and Maine West High Schools gathered in the Maine West auditorium for District 207’s annual Black Excellence is Everywhere event, which celebrates Black success and culture in the community during Black History Month. This event was hosted by District 207’s Career and College Resource Center, Maine West and Maine East’s Black Student Unions and Maine South’s Black Empowerment Union.
Black Excellence is Everywhere started six years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic as an online after-school program for Black students to have a safe space to come together.
“Black Excellence Is Everywhere was a joyful celebration for Black History Month,” explains Maine West Career Coordinator Tyra Nelson. “This all-day career and cultural event had so many engaging activities for students to get to know their peers and leaders from the community. Students were immersed in Black culture and were able to celebrate their own excellence.”
The day kicked off with students playing a music-matching game and then going around the room to get to know each other through an icebreaker. The morning continued with a trivia game before moving into a panel discussion.
Serving as the main event, the panel featured Maurice Ball (engineer), Timothy Lee (trust advisor), Karin Norrington (CEO), Treshur McDonald (event coordinator) and Skye Risden (exercise physiologist). The panelists talked about their career experiences, including where they got their education and the challenges they may have faced as Black people in their fields. Panelists also took questions from students in the audience.
After the panel, students enjoyed lunch catered by a local Des Plaines restaurant, Island World Jamaican Cuisine. The day wrapped up with a scavenger hunt and a high-energy performance by Windy City Ramblers, a Chicago-based brass band. There was also a table with brochures where students could learn about Historically Black Colleges or Universities in the country.
“The Black Excellence Event is a dynamic opportunity for Black students to celebrate their authentic selves with other Black students across the district,” shares Maine West Counselor and Black Student Union sponsor Jalaine Hart. “From laughing and learning to the Windy City Ramblers, this year’s Black Excellence is Everywhere event was a great way to kick off Black History Month!”