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ABC Unified students, equity office highlight Black History Month and student 'Black Excellence'
Summary
Students from Kennedy STEM Academy and student leaders from multiple schools presented at the ABC Unified School District board meeting to mark Black History Month; Equity Officer Blaine Watson outlined district events, a VAPA contest and community engagement efforts to support Black students.
At the Feb. 4 board meeting of the ABC Unified School District, Equity Officer Blaine Watson and student leaders presented a Black History Month program that the district said will center on the theme of "Black Excellence." Watson described the national theme for 2025, "African-Americans and labor," and said the district is emphasizing student voice and family engagement as part of its Local Control and Accountability Plan actions.
Watson said Black or African-American students make up "just under 7%" of the district’s student population and that efforts including the Black Family Circle and student empathy interviews are intended to improve belonging and outcomes. "We want to make sure we continue to affirm the great diversity of ABC Unified," Watson said.
Student presenters described how celebration and curricula matter in the classroom. "To me, Black Excellence is all about resilience, creativity and making an impact," said DeMar Lawrence, a sophomore and student-body representative at Citos High School. Ariana Gravely, a student and hairstylist, connected the theme to entrepreneurship, citing Madam C.J. Walker as an inspiration for black business ownership.
Board members thanked the students and district staff. Board Clerk Yokoyama Buie said she was "honored to sit here and listen" to the presentations and noted the district’s role in elevating student voices through the equity officer position. Board Member Dr. Rios praised the focus on student experience and asked staff to continue aligning cultural work with measurable outcomes.
The district announced a Visual and Performing Arts contest tied to Black History Month. Submissions are due Feb. 26; the ABC Education Foundation is sponsoring scholarships for first ($100), second ($50) and third ($25) place winners. Watson also invited the board and community to a Feb. 20 event recognizing Black educators and to a family general-body meeting on April 10 to discuss mental health and supports for Black families.
The board did not take formal policy action during the presentation; next steps include continued input through the LCAP process and outreach events scheduled at district schools.
