The Berkeley Unified School District celebrates Black History Month to commemorate the histories, traditions, and important contributions of Black people to our nation.
In 2020, when Black Lives Matter protests spread across the nation, our School Board passed the Resolution in Support of Black Lives Matter, This resolution is a symbol of the District’s ongoing commitment to focus unerringly on the success of African American students, families, and staff members, and to serve as a visible affirmation of the movement for racial equality in the United States.
February 3, 2025
Dear Berkeley Unified Community:
As a school district that values diversity, we believe Black history and the diverse histories, experiences, stories, and voices of Black people should be recognized, honored, and uplifted every day. Black History Month, which is celebrated in February, and Black Lives Matter at School Week, running from February 3 – 7, is an opportunity to focus on the rich history and many contributions of the Black community in all of our lives.
The theme of Black History Month 2025 is “African Americans and Labor.” This theme honors and recognizes the work, both free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary, of African Americans in shaping and transforming our country. We are fortunate for the Black labor that in its excellence has supported and transformed our district in so many ways and continues to do so every day. We note that the renamed Ruth Acty Elementary School recognizes an inspiring educator, the first Black teacher in Berkeley Unified School District, who dedicated nearly 50 years of her life to teaching students in Berkeley, from kindergarten through adult school.
This month we uplift and celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions from the Black community. We honor and acknowledge the resilience, fortitude, and brilliance of their labor, which has benefited so many in our district. Even as we do this, we acknowledge our collective work for equity and social justice must continue. BUSD remains steadfast in these efforts, evident in resolutions like the Resolution in Support of Black Lives Matter (2020), the establishment of the BUSD Reparations Task Force, and the ongoing development of our Ethnic Studies and African American Studies departments.
A Reclamation of Narrative – The Cultural Revolution of the Harlem Renaissance
The “New Negro Movement,” popularly known as “The Harlem Renaissance” is an essential period in American history. By selecting the Harlem Renaissance as the theme of this year’s Oratorical Fest, students will examine and deepen their understanding of the era through the exploration of new information and engage with critical questions while uplifting the people who contributed to this lasting legacy.
BUSD’s Black History Oratorical Fest begins with competitions at our school sites in February and culminates with the district-wide competition, held this year at Oxford Elementary School on March 26.
Black Lives Matter at School Week
During Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, celebrated this year from February 3-7, we honor the lived experiences of each and every one of our Black students in our classrooms. As educators, we must be mindful of who we center in these discussions and how we support our Black students during and afterward.
BUSD’s Black History Month Resources
Visit the district’s Black History Month web page for reading lists by grade level, family guides, teaching guides, staff posters, and more information about the Black History Oratorical Festival. These resources are offered as a support to our teaching staff and families as another way to bring Black creativity, Black excellence, Black wellness, and Black joy to our schools and homes today and every day.
Now, more than ever, we must stay committed to uplifting our beautiful, culturally rich and inspiringly diverse Berkeley community.
#BerkeleyTOGETHER
In community,
Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendent
Black Lives Matter at School Week
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. The movement aims to dismantle white supremacy via combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy.
As part of BUSD’s Resolution in Support of Black Lives Matter, one week in the month of February is recognized as Black Lives Matter at School Week in the district. Black Lives Matter at School Week serves as an extension of the centering of racial justice set forth by #BlackLivesMatter within the BUSD Community. During this week, discussions about anti-black racism and discrimination are encouraged in classrooms and at home.
During this year’s Black Lives Matter at School Week 2025, we uplift our Intergenerational principle. This principle states: “We cultivate a communal network free from ageism and adultism because of our belief in the leadership and learning potential of all people, regardless of age. We recognize and celebrate the intergenerational relationships that have always been and must continue to be when working for justice.”
Click on the video above to watch some BUSD students from elementary to high school grade levels share about their unique lived experiences and what makes them feel valued at school.
BUSD Resources
Reading lists
Black History Oratorical Fest: March 26, 2025
Banner image features “Black Joy” by artist Thaddeus Coates aka Hippy Potter
The 2025 Black History Oratorical Fest will be held at 5:30 pm on March 26 in the Oxford Elementary School Theatre (1222 University Ave., Berkeley, CA)
The First BUSD Black History Oratorical Fest
The first BUSD Black History Oratorical Fest Competition was held in 2018. The event supports BUSD efforts to uplift Black/African American historical contributions while allowing students to shine through public speaking.
About This Year’s Theme: A Reclamation of Narrative
By selecting the Harlem Renaissance as this year’s theme, students will examine and deepen their understanding of the era by exploring new information. Perhaps more importantly, they will engage with critical questions while uplifting the people who contributed to this lasting legacy. The 2025 BHOF supplies students with the perfect vehicle for synthesizing and demonstrating their learning through spoken word.
The New Negro Movement, popularly known as the Harlem Renaissance, is an essential period in American history. The era witnessed a convergence of artistic expression, an awakened political consciousness, and emboldened action. While the expressive mediums from this time gave us everlasting cultural gifts, many often ignore the historical context and circumstances that led to the Renaissance, which, when examined, provide tremendous entry points for teaching and learning.
Lifting Up BUSD Black Staff Voices
In celebration of our Black community, this year BUSD has introduced “Lifting Up BUSD Black Staff Voices,” a campaign to share our Black staff narratives with our students and community by creating posters featuring their stories and experiences. These posters will be displayed at schools, work sites, on the BUSD website, and in district publications. Sharing these narratives with our students will allow them to deepen connections with Black staff across the district.
Please click on each name to see a full-sized poster.
Community Events
