To celebrate Black History Month, Niles High School students commemorated the African American artists and leaders whose universal messages are embodied in works of art and continue to be an inspiration to people today.
Students paid tribute to the African American leaders through dance, song and art Thursday in a production called “Celebration of the Harlem Renaissance.”
This is the third story in a Black History Month series commemorating local African American leaders.
As they strutted down the catwalk Thursday, Niles High School students displayed the once contemporary wear of the 1920s era that was popular during the Harlem Renaissance.
From sequined flapper headbands to men’s fedoras and jackets, audience members were brought back to a time of jazz, poetry and art spurred by the Harlem Renaissance Era’s African American leaders.
The fashion show was part of a production put on by students to celebrate Black History Month.
Lisa Busby, an Instructional Assistant for the College and Career Center, wrote and directed the production.
Busby said she wanted audience members to feel a sense of pride.
“It should always be a learning experience,” Busby said. “ When I do this, I want people to go away having learned a little more about black history, but also to be proud of who we are and to be proud of the contributions that African Americans gave to this county.”
The production followed the lives of two African American characters that arrive in Harlem after living in the countryside. The newcomers run into Opal Sue Haywood, played by 10th grader Nia Reid, who helps to introduce them to African American artists whose influence greatly impacted New York culture during the Harlem Renaissance Era throughout the 1920s to mid-1930s.
Along the way, the characters met greats like painter Aaron Douglas, and musicians Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. A dance number in a nightclub, complete with students clad in flapper garb was also part of the production.
Tytiana Johnson, who danced during the musical number, said she felt that the Harlem Renaissance shows a period of togetherness.
“That is basically all colors coming together,” Johsnon said. “We were trying to be united. We wanted to be uplifting and show the potential that all colors had when we come together.”
For Busby, the Harlem Renaissance Era remains one of her favorite periods of history.
“It is all about new beginnings,” Busby said.
African Americans who sought to call Harlem home helped to proliferate a flourish of art culture. In the process, many of these leaders made a name for themselves.
For Reid, one of the leading characters in the production, there was a lot of pride in the performance that students have been working to create since the beginning of the year.
“I enjoyed the hard work and dedication put into this,” Reid said. “I enjoyed how it all came together.”