Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Black History Month With District and School-Based Events and Initiatives

CHICAGO –  Students and staff across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are honoring the history, contributions, and achievements of Black people through a series of special events and activities during the month of February. The District’s Black History Month initiatives build on CPS’ ongoing, year-long Black history curriculum and programming that provide CPS students with the opportunity to learn about the achievements of Black people throughout the African diaspora, whether in STEM, music, politics, activism, sports, the arts, or other fields of human endeavor.

“Black history is an integral part of American history and it deserves our attention and respect this month - and every month,”  said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “Whether it's the Chicago-based artform House Music, the three-light traffic signal, gas heating furnace, clothes dryer, modern toilet, hair care products, or peanut butter, the contributions and accomplishments of Black people have a positive impact on our lives each and every day. Education about Black history and Black achievement not only ensures our students have a more accurate understanding of history but also helps them develop a sense of empathy and understanding.” 

This morning, CEO Martinez joined students at Al Raby High School in the city’s East Garfield Park neighborhood to hear from them about what the month means to them and the activities they plan to participate in to uplift and honor the contributions of Black people. The conversation included a discussion of the school’s namesake, a prominent local civil rights leader, CPS educator, and environmentalist who, among a long list of accomplishments, worked closely with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on social justice issues, and served as the campaign manager for Harold Washington's historic mayoral campaign in 1983. Al Raby later served as the head of the Chicago Human Relations Commission, the local watchdog group that fights discrimination.

Black History Month, initially called “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson, was officially recognized as a month-long celebration in 1976. In CPS, the District celebrates Black History through classroom curriculum such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the underground railroad, Juneteenth, and the significance of the namesake behind the Major Taylor Cycling Club, among other District-wide lessons.

This year, CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova began working with a group, called United Black Male Educators of CPS, to further develop a leadership pipeline for Black men in the District and ultimately help our Black male students achieve and succeed both in and outside the classroom. 

“Our District-wide goal is to have educators and District leaders who reflect our communities. Representation matters,” said Chkoumbova. “This leadership cohort will serve as an integral part of CPS’ efforts to recognize and respond to the unique lived experiences of our diverse student populations and our ongoing work to strengthen our systems to best support our students, staff, leaders, and communities.” 

Through the District’s Department of Social Science & Civic Engagement, students in grade K through 12 develop the skills, habits, and curiosity  to critically interrogate the world around them, evaluate and assess information from a variety of sources, work collaboratively with others from diverse backgrounds, and make informed decisions about who they want to be and plan how they will take action in the world. These skills empower students to be active and informed participants in their community and in Democracy.

CPS educators also encourage students to expand their knowledge of Black History outside of February via classroom activities such as recreating civil rights freedom movement posters, reading books written by Black authors, and accessing online resources at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, among other resources.

The Children First Fund, CPS’ foundation, will be recognizing Black History Month through social media in February by featuring prominent Black CPS alumni, from astronauts to journalists, actors, athletes, authors, and more.

Some of the events and partnerships scheduled at District schools include: