Year 11 pupil maps out Black History Month celebrations at Priory

From assemblies to food sales and music, DaMari will help to educate Priory pupils about iconic black people in history and their influence.

DaMari said: “I think when people talk about Black History Month, they think of slavery and the civil rights movement. I want to show there is so much more than that.

“The people I look up to are Mary Seacole, Barack Obama and Serena Williams and I want to highlight these and more.

“It started as Black History Month comes around every year and I felt we could do more as a school.

“I went to my Head of Year, Mrs Bullock, and asked about doing something positive around it.

“I was disappointed as I didn’t get to be a Head Prefect but I’m a Senior Prefect and Miss Smith, the Lead Practitioner for Personal Development, told me that I don’t need a title to make a difference.

“I thought about it over the summer and made a PowerPoint presentation about Black History Month which I showed to Mr Eastham.

“I will now deliver assemblies for Year 7, 8 and 9 about influential black figures in Learning for Life lessons which I am a bit nervous about!

“There will also be a food sale on Tuesday, 15 October  which I helped set up with Mrs Qadri, our Culture Club Leader, where pupils can sample and buy food traditionally made from Black cultures.”

“I have also been working with Mr Taylor to play music from black musicians around the world. It’s been organised into decades with Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin and more.

“It’s something I feel really strongly and passionately about as from an early age my Mum and Dad taught me and my brother to know our worth and to know our history and I am glad to have this opportunity to share that with others.”

What Miss Smith, Lead Practioner for Personal Development at Priory, said:

"I am so pleased DaMari considered our discussion prior to the summer. He has found his passion project and run with it. 

She continued, "DaMari will now have a lasting legacy at Priory. I am hoping other young people follow his example and consider how they can make an impact and further their personal development. 

"Leading projects like this develop important employability skills, and DaMari will be able to call on this as an example in future interviews for college and employment opportunities."