Celebrating Black History: Creative Minds

"During the month of February, the United States celebrates Black History Month to recognize the contributions to American life that Black and African Americans have made,” states Mrs. Aliali Silverio Belkus '97, Central Catholic’s Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

"In the same spirit, Central Catholic focuses its attention on sharing these wonderful and courageous stories with our school community."

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the various learning opportunities being offered to explore important figures and events in Black History.

Black History Month Initiatives

Activities and initiatives during the month include…

• The Creative Mind: A Traveling Exhibit
  • On loan from the National Academy of Sciences
• Black History Month Interactive Bulletin Board
  • Presented by Central Catholic's Library & Media Center
• Celebrating Black Saints: Display & Book Club
• United We Stand Meeting: Tues., 2/7, 2:30 PM
• SCOPE Meeting: Thurs., 2/9, 2:15 PM
• Highlighting Unsung Activists & Celebrating Black Contributors to American History

---

The Creative Mind: A Traveling Exhibit 

Central Catholic's South Wing Atrium, January 30 – February 28, 2023

The Creative Mind is a traveling exhibit that celebrates the contributions of African Americans to medicine, mathematics, engineering, and all branches of science. It features the careers and achievements of some of today’s outstanding black scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and medical professionals and highlights the work of notable figures from the past.

"The Creative Mind gives visibility to the contributions of trailblazing African Americans working in the sciences, engineering, and medical fields from the late 19th century to the present," said Alana Quinn, a senior program associate at Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS) 

"With this exhibit, we want to help give them the recognition they deserve. We also hope that it will inspire African American students to consider STEM careers and to imagine themselves achieving great things.”

A “Did You Know?” section brings in additional information about each field, pointing to future career possibilities for creative minds of the next generation. 

The exhibit consists of seven colorful, flexible panels—an introduction and separate panels devoted to medicine, mathematics, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences. Each panel is approximately seven and a half feet high and three feet wide. For shipping, the panels roll up into plastic tubes.

The African American History Program (AAHP) of the CPNAS has created a site dedicated to exploring these scientists and mathematicians with detailed biographies that can be further explored by clicking on the names of the individuals.

Click here to learn more about these individuals.

Click here to read more about the traveling exhibit on the AAHP website.

Exhibition History

The Creative Mind made its debut in 2012 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and at the Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences, in Washington, D.C. Since then, it has been exhibited all across the country.

 

---

Black History Month Interactive Bulletin Board

Presented by Central Catholic's Library & Media Center during the month of February

In support of The Creative Mind, a traveling exhibit by the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS) on display at Central Catholic and in celebration of Black History Month, the Library & Media Center has created an interactive bulletin board highlighting contributions of African Americans to medicine, mathematics, engineering and the sciences. 

Eight leaders in STEM are featured on the bulletin board with information about their lives and QR codes that link to more resources about these individuals through the CCHS Library databases. 

Learn more about:

• Physicist and engineer George E. Alcorn, 
• Sociologist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune, 
• Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in any field from an American university, 
• Neurosurgeon Dr. Keith L. Black, 
• Social scientist William E.B. DuBois, 
• Astronaut Mae C. Jemison, 
• Microbiologist Floyd J. Malveaux, 
• Psychologist Jennifer A. Richeson.

 

---

Celebrating Black Saints: Exhibit & Book Club

Posters celebrating the contributions of Black saints to the Catholic faith are on display outside of the Campus Ministry Center on the second floor of the South Wing.

Central Catholic will be having a Black Catholic Saints Book Club during February and March.

The Book Club will meet weekly and will read about several Black Catholics who are on the road to sainthood. It will be facilitated by Ms. Anne Martino of the Religious Studies Department.

Copies of the book will be provided and meeting times will be determined once we know who is interested.

Students who are interested should click here to join the Book Club.

See Ms. Martino in room 239 of the Hampshire Street Building if you have any questions.

 

---

United We Stand

United We Stand is meeting Tuesday, February 7, 2:30 PM, Room 112, Hampshire Street Building

United We Stand works to break down popular social issues and talk about them in an unbiased setting.

Members come together to discuss social justice and human rights issues such as, but not limited to: pro-riot vs. anti-riot, women's rights, Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter, climate change and many others. 

United We Stand is moderated by faculty member Mr. Brian Flaherty and led by five student Executive Board Members.

"This club is much needed following the current events happening in our world," stated the United We Stand Executive Board. "Many individuals need a place to focus on the conversation about these sensitive topics in order to make Central a more welcoming place for those of all backgrounds and beliefs."

 

---

Students Can Open People’s Eyes (SCOPE)

SCOPE is meeting Thursday, February 9, 2:15 PM, Room 229, Memorial Gymnasium

S.C.O.P.E. (Students Can Open People’s Eyes) supports multicultural students in their CCHS experience. The goal of SCOPE is for members to build relationships with peers, develop cultural agility through intercultural interaction, and create a network of support while maintaining and sharing their identity and cultural values. SCOPE members participate in special retreat days and additional social, positive, and informative activities throughout the year.

 

---

Highlighting Unsung Activists & Celebrating Black Contributors to American History

This month, in honor of Black History Month, we will be sharing facts related to Black History via morning announcements and email.

 

---

Central Catholic’s Declaration of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Central Catholic High School seeks to uphold anti-racist practices and promote empathetic attitudes to reflect a just and inclusive community that celebrates the identities, gifts, and dignity of its members. We condemn thoughts, words, and actions that harm one’s humanity. We call each other to follow Jesus’ example of love.

This statement is read daily as part of our morning reflection and hangs in every classroom as a reminder of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at Central Catholic High School.

Click here to view our mission and the full declaration with its introduction.