RSHS’s African-American Studies class to host celebration of black history

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior High School’s African-American Studies classes next week will host a celebration of black history full of poems, singing, dancing and more to share with the community what they’ve learned in the classroom in honor of Black History Month.

“The kids are really excited learning things that they may not necessarily learn in taking a standard history course,” said Arthur Gilliam, a history and African-American Studies teacher. “This class centers the black experience, black culture, black history and black stories.”

Gilliam said that this event is really student-led and that it’s a rare opportunity for students to share what they’re learning. Each student is able to bring something to this event that they’re interested in.

“These children are passionate about education and diversity,” Gilliam said.

What was supposed to be one class with 30 students has turned into five classes across two semesters. Over 120 children have taken the class this year.

The African-American Studies class was added as a way to re-invigorate students’ interest in school following the virtual learning of last year, as well as a celebration of RSHS’s 50th year. The class used to be a part of the curriculum but hasn’t been taught in at least 20 years.

Gilliam begins the course by teaching the children about early African civilization and traces the history of black people in the present day.

“It’s renewed their passion for learning because it’s something they don’t normally get to talk about,” Gilliam said. “They really come to this class with a fresh perspective.”

Gilliam said it’s his hope that after students attend this event, it will inspire them to consider joining future iterations of the class.

“We do so much more than just classwork,” Gilliam said. “Because we talk about such sensitive topics, because the black experience is one that is filled with a lot of success but a lot of trauma, and because we talk about honest and real things that have happened in black history, we grow to become more of a family than a class.”

A tentative plan is set for around 100 students to be able to visit the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro next month, as well as a trip to an HBCU.

The Black History Event: Celebration of the African Diaspora will be taking place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 in the RSHS gym. The event is free to the public. Masks will be strictly enforced.