Some of the student speakers: From left are Elijah Wickham, Yemmy Tekabe, Hiroko Rose, Sean Cranford, Kye Leiva and Jabari Britt.
Featuring the theme, “From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future,” Fairfax County Public Schools celebrated Black History Month, Feb. 19, with a special event at Woodson High. Participating were FCPS officials, School Board members, students, a GMU professor, local authors and a music ensemble.
Etta Willson, Linneall Naylor, Rondia Prescott and Jenee Lindner – four of the authors of the book, “Black Communities of Fairfax: A History” – took part in a panel discussion. And throughout the evening, Woodson and other FCPS students quoted passages from their book.
Emcee was Darnessia Semper, who deals with equity and cultural responsiveness for FCPS. She noted that several of her relatives – born in the early 1900s in rural South Carolina – got college educations. “So I had a fabric to grow from,” she said. “They’ve paved the way for me to be where I am.”
With the words of the song on the screen behind them, 360 Worship Music Ensemble performs, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The first speaker was Marcia St. John-Cunning, representing School Board Chairman Karl Frisch. She said she’d attended a birthday celebration that morning for the late congressman John Lewis at the Springfield high school named in his honor.
“This annual event is one example of [FCPS’s] unwavering commitment to celebrating diversity and uplifting the voices that have shaped our history,” said St. John-Cunning. “Make no mistake – Black history is America’s history. Black History Month, in particular, is a time to reflect, learn and continue the work of those who came before us. But at FCPS, our commitment goes beyond just one month; it’s embedded in everything we do. FCPS affirms its dedication to fostering an inclusive community where every student feels welcome, respected and valued.
“That commitment extends to the very names on our school buildings, ensuring that they reflect the values of equity and justice that define us as a community. FCPS is a place where every student is empowered to achieve their full potential [and] where the next generation of learners are given the tools, support and encouragement to create the future they deserve.”
She then quoted a message she called “as timely and meaningful today” as when it was spoken by Lewis. He said: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year. It is the struggle of a lifetime. Never ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble – necessary trouble.”
Mason District School Board Representative Ricardy Anderson said the impact of Black labor, ingenuity and resilience extends far beyond the confines of a single month. “This year’s Black History Month theme is ‘African Americans and Labor,’” she said. “And it’s not just about work; it’s about building, sustaining and transforming this country, despite historical and systemic barriers, from the enforced labor of the enslaved – who literally laid the foundation of this nation – to the Black workers who led the great migration in search of opportunity, to the educators, activists and entrepreneurs who continue to shape our society today.”
Noting that Black labor has been about progress, Anderson said FCPS personnel “stand on the shoulders of trailblazing, African American educators and leaders who paved the way for equity, inclusion and excellence. The legacy of Dr. Luther Porter Jackson – whose name graces the only secondary school that served Black students in Fairfax County during segregation – reminds us that education has always been a battleground for justice. And while progress has been made, the work is far from over.”
“Black labor is about the right to dignity, fair wages, opportunity and justice,” she continued. “It’s about ensuring that every person, regardless of race, has a real shot at the American Dream. [But] the current political climate has introduced policies to dismantle initiatives designed to foster understanding, equity and opportunity for all. These intolerable actions not only undermine decades of progress but also send a heartbreaking message to marginalized communities.
“In the face of these challenges, our commitment to celebrating and teaching our Black history becomes even more crucial. Black history isn’t just about recognizing Black contribution; it’s about the struggle to overcome the obstacles that have tried to silence those contributions. Let’s commit to building a future where equity isn’t just an ideal, but a reality.”
Speaking next, FCPS Chief Equity Officer Nardos King called it fitting to reflect on the legacy of Woodson High’s namesake, Carter G. Woodson, “the father of Black History. His groundbreaking work ensured that the contributions of African Americans would no longer be overlooked. The recent renaming of this school is a powerful testament to our community’s commitment to honoring those who’ve paved the way for justice, education and opportunity.
“Black history isn’t just a distant story; it’s right here in our communities, schools and the roads we walk every day. Threads of our past are woven into the fabric of our present, and they guide us as we work together to create a future that honors the sacrifices and contributions of those who came before us. Our students are the brightest threads in this fabric. The lessons of history are important, but they truly come alive when they’re carried forward in the lives of young people.”
Addressing the students directly, King said, “You have the power to challenge injustice, lead with compassion and dream boldly about the future you want to see. Whether in the classrooms of today or the boardrooms, studios, laboratories and communities of tomorrow, your voices and actions are shaping the world to come. Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s work reminds us that history isn’t a relic – it’s a tool. Use it to empower yourselves and inspire change. Each of you carries the potential to leave a more inclusive and equitable future.”
“This evening is [also] a call to action,” added King. “Let us commit ourselves to building a Fairfax County Public Schools where every student, family and community has the power to thrive. Tonight, we’re creating something extraordinary. Let’s carry this spirit not only through Black History Month, but every day, as we honor our past and work toward a brighter tomorrow.”
Then following the keynote speaker (see sidebar), everyone stood and sang the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” led by the 360 Worship Music Ensemble. Two students shared their own stories (see second sidebar), as did some of the authors of “Black Communities of Fairfax: A History.”
Etta Willson mentioned her enslaved ancestors, noting that her mother’s grandmother was also a slave and “had many stories to tell.” And Fairfax City historian Jenee Lindner noted that, at one time, 30 percent of the population here was African American. “Yet in our history, they’re hardly mentioned, at all,” she said. “I’m proud that those stories are finally being told.”