Yourhometown school district celebrates black history month - images of African American students in cap and gown, raising their hand, working at a desk

Campus and Community Events

Austin Elementary School
Black History Dress Up Week

Students and staff dressed up for various theme days to demonstrate unity, solidarity, appreciation, and love for the contributions made by Black People to our Collective History.

Black History Program

Join us for a night with DJ Juice from The Blaze, student performers, and a guest speaker.

Orr Elementary School
Black History Month

Students and staff dressed up for various theme days to demonstrate unity, solidarity, appreciation, and love for the contributions made by Black People to our Collective History.

In a celebration of Black History Month, 4th and 5th graders took a unique approach to learning about significant African American figures. Transforming their school into a captivating wax museum, students brought to life the stories and achievements of notable individuals. Learn More and See Pics

Peete Elementary School
Black History Month Expo

Students and staff honored the vibrant tapestry of Black history and culture. It was a memorable evening filled with food, shopping, and fun activities to celebrate and honor Black History and culture.

Ramey Elementary School
Black History Program

Join us for a captivating celebration in tribute to Black History Month! Experience remarkable performances by Ramey Choirs, Boulter Middle School, and special guests. The night concludes with a mesmerizing living wax museum presented by our talented 4th graders.

Ramey Elementary School
Black History Month Dress Up Days

Students and staff dressed up for various theme days to demonstrate unity, solidarity, appreciation, and love for the contributions made by Black People to our Collective History.

group of men and women standing in a hallway

man and woman standing in a hallway

two women standing in a hallway

woman standing in a hallway

Caldwell Arts Academy & Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Caldwell Gymnasium

Members of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre performed for the community.

Tyler Legacy High School
Black History Month Program: Untold Stories in Black History

Tyler Legacy Proudly presented their 6th Annual Black History Program. 

The 2024 Theme was "Untold Stories in Black History." Students and staff highlighted stories in Black History that sometimes go unnoticed, with figures who don't always receive the accolades and recognition that they deserve. The program featured music, dance, and speakers from the student body, as well as community members. 

Culinary Arts students prepared a small menu celebrating Black Cuisine. 

Ramey Elementary School
Divine Nine Step Show

Members of the Divine Nine Greek organizations were on campus.

Clarkston Elementary School
Living History Museum

Students dressed up as a historical figure and shared information about who they were with fellow students and families.

Griffin Elementary School
Black History Program (PK-2nd Grades)

Students dressed up as a historical figure and shared information about who they were with fellow students and families. Music and food was also available.

Griffin Elementary School
Black History Program (3rd-5th Grades)

Students dressed up as a historical figure and shared information about who they were with fellow students and families. Music and food was also available.

Jones Elementary School
Jaguars Jazz Journey through Black History
Cafeteria

Students, staff, and families enjoyed a night of good music and a walk down memory lane with the 5th grade live museum. Student artwork was also on display.

Tyler High School
Black History Program

Students from different campuses performed and Weird and Different clothing brand founder and CEO Romereo Brown Jr. served as the guest speaker.  Additionally, there was an African American Business Expo which showcased the Divine Nine Greek Organizations, businesses and restaurants including Dews Nails, Faith's Crafts, Weird & Different, Backdrop Boutique, Lovelee Candle Co., Smith County African Amercian Historical Society,  Jazmyne Nails, Addies' Sitters and Companions, Made by Kim, Sweetbmore, Koolickles, Divine Nine, TAASBE, & NSPDK, Inc.

Black History Dress Up Week

Students and staff dressed up for various theme days to demonstrate unity, solidarity, appreciation, and love for the contributions made by Black People to our Collective History.

Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School
King Rhythm

Join soprano/storyteller Hope Shiver and percussionist David Keepman on a fantastic ride through African American history via popular musical styles. Selected audience members joined in the fun, donning costumes and pantomime, becoming loveable characters Bluesy, Jazzy, and others. The program featured a lot of audience participation!


Boshears and Jones Elementary School
Soul Street Performance

Students were treated to a heart-pounding performance by Soul Street. Soul Street educated students on the history of Hip-Hop dance, demonstrated dance moves, incorporated music and sounds that had the whole gym on the edge of their seat. While tying the history of hip-hop to Black History Month, Soul Street reminded students of how important they are and that their voice matters. 

Boulter Middle School
Divine Nine Performance


Clarkston Elementary School
Soul Street Performance

Catch the excitement as Soul Street Dance demonstrates how street dance has developed and evolved across cultures.

Jack Elementary School
Soul Street Performance

Staff and students were able to catch the excitement as Soul Street Dance demonstrated how street dance has developed and evolved across cultures.

Peete Elementary School
Pioneers of Progress Dress Up Days

Students dressed in various ways to show their LOVE for African American historical icons
Thursday, February 15 - We've Got Soul - wear your 70s attire

Ramey Elementary School
Tales from Africa

Students enjoyed folktales and other stories from Africa as they heard trickster tales such as Anansi the Spider, the clever hare and the wise tortoise. They were also able to participate in the telling of each story. Positive lessons were gleaned from the wisdom of stories passed on from one generation to another.

Ramey Elementary School
National Civil Rights Museum - Virtual Tours

Students followed along with a video tour of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN. Third through 5th grade students saw the balcony where Dr. King spoke and was shot, as well as his hotel room. MTS Jessi Smyth facilitated a discussion with them about the events and why it's important to preserve this place. PreK-2nd grade students learned about Dr. King with a grade-level appropriate portion of the tour and then created a "Pinwheel for Peace." 

Orr Elementary School
Black History Program

This Orr-mazing Black History Program included performances by the Orr Drumline, the Tyler High School Choir, and students portrayed historical figures. Members from Delta Sigma and Alpha Phi Alpha with the Divine Nine were in attendance, along with Reverend Ralph Caraway Jr. Constable, Precinct 1.

elementary school kids playing the drums

adults and kids on stage. the kids are sitting and holding their drum sticks

Our Promise College & Career Showcase
Downtown Tyler

DJ Juice, local performers, Greek sorority and fraternities, HBCU, TJC, UT Tyler, and the Tyler ISD AVID program celebrated the education and career pathways in East Texas.

Rice Elementary School
Black History Month Door Decorating Contest

Each class will choose a black historical figure or group to feature on their door. District personnel will judge the doors on February 2 and award 1st-3rd places. Doors will remain decorated through February. 

Black History Month billboard with MLK Jr. photo

decorated door with Garrett Morgan, a roadway with paper cars on it

decorated door with Mae Jemison and small astronaut cutouts

Black History Month billboard with MLK Jr. on it

Caldwell Arts Academy and Boulter Middle School
Our Sound - A Black History Month Presentation of Jazz and Poetry Night

The Caldwell Jazz Band, Boulter Jazz Band, Poetry Readers and more performers kicked off Black History Month.

Campus Social Updates

History of Black History Month

The month of February is Black History Month. Also known as African American History Month, the celebration grew out of “Negro History Week,” which was developed by Harvard trained historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland. The duo founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other people of African descent. 

On Feb 7, 1926, Woodson initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week, which eventually led to Black History Month and was meant, "to extend and deepen the study and scholarship on African American history, all year long." In 1976, during the nation’s bicentennial, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to, “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. 

Sources: africanamericanhistorymonth.gov and history.com

Tyler Area Alliance of Black School Educators

TAABSE is committed to promoting and facilitating the education of all students, especially African American children. In addition, promote and cultivate a coalition of educators directly involved in the educational process of African-American students and create a positive forum for the exchange of ideas and strategies to improve opportunities for people of African descent.

Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

TABSE is committed to improving the educational achievement of African-American students by increasing the participation and expansion of Texas affiliates. TABSE further believes in identifying and promoting those activities, which are designed to sensitize the public-at-large and educators, specifically to the needs of African-American students in academic and non-academic areas of development.

National Alliance of Black School Educators

NABSE is dedicated to improving both the educational experiences and accomplishments of African American youth through the development and use of instructional and motivational methods that increase levels of inspiration, attendance and overall achievement.

four African American women standing next to each other wearing college shirts

African American women wearing a college shirt

two women stand next to each other wearing purple college shirts

African American woman wearing a college shirt

African American woman wearing a college shirt

African American woman wearing a college shirt

Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Texas

Established before 1950 to primarily serve the black community.

Huston–Tillotson University - Austin, Founded in 1875      

Jarvis Christian College - Hawkins, Founded in 1912      

Paul Quinn College - Dallas, Founded in 1872      

Prairie View A&M University - Prairie View, Founded in 1876      

Southwestern Christian College - Terrell, Founded in 1948      

St. Philip's College - San Antonio, Founded in 1898      

Texas College - Tyler, Founded in 1894      

Texas Southern University - Houston, Founded in 1927      

Wiley College - Marshall, Founded in 1873