Black History Month: Afrofest & Panels

Dorothy Lee '26
Last Saturday, January 15, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosted Lawrenceville’s annual AfroFest in the Tsai Atrium as part of the School’s observation of Black History Month. The event took place several hours after a panel discussion titled, “Black As a Blueprint” in the Kirby Arts Center, featuring three Black Alumni. 

The afternoon festival consisted of various games, crafts, and workshops, arranged in collaboration with student organizations and faculty members. 

Reflecting on the planning process for the event, Director of Equity and Inclusion Nuri Friedlander [honorifics?] said, “All of the activities that you saw here…were suggested by students and we [the OMA] try to do in collaboration with them so that we are here to put their vision into the world.” He explained that the OMA emphasizes hosting events that are both enjoyable and educational to students. 

According to Executive Director of the Hutchins Institute for Social Justice Zaheer Ali [honorifics?], last Saturday’s events aimed to foster an understanding of the ways that the lives of Black people have shaped and been shaped by the history of the United States. 

“It is important for us here at Lawrenceville, as a school, to learn all of the histories that have shaped our lives…our country and the world,” Ali said, “and Black history is very much a part of that.”

Ali facilitated a graffiti workshop, featuring the art form which developed alongside the emergence of hip-hop culture within Black communities in the mid to late-20th century. He noted that the students “seemed very excited,” some having expressed interest in studying graffiti within an academic setting  as well. Ali hopes that the creative nature of the workshop inspired participants “to experience a greater sense of freedom to go outside of the box, whatever that box is, whether it's in the lines, on a paper, or the things that are constraining their imagination.”

In another workshop, Captain of FroBeats Bella Spencer ’26 hosted a step-dance tutorial in the Fitness Room. Reflecting on the event, in addition to her overall experience as captain of a dance team inspired by African genres, Spencer said, “I think it's really special to get to share Black culture and Black creativity and expression that most people haven't…heard of.” She believes that AfroFest offered a “special and fun” opportunity for the school community “to recognize black excellence in a lot of different ways.”

Angel Xin '26

Last Saturday, the Alumni and Development Office, in collaboration with the student-led Alliance of Black Cultures hosted a Black Alumni panel discussion in the Kirby Arts Center. The morning session, featuring Turquoise Brewington ’18, Greg Good ’02, and Erica Callier-Valestin '93, shed light on minority student experiences. 

Xavier Penn ’25, President of Black Men at Lawrenceville, moderated the event. Penn met with Director of Equity and Inclusion Nuri Friedlander to “pick out questions and speak to the panelists before School Meeting.” This position gave Penn “an added layer of intimacy and connectedness” when conversing with the speakers on stage. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” he emphasized. In particular, Brewington’s advice that urged minority students to “create a space on campus to cultivate [their] own sense of belonging” stood out to Penn. “Being Black at Lawrenceville could be an isolating experience at times,” he explained, “but finding your people here helps.” 

While “the event was scheduled too early in the day” for Kellen Fisher ’26, he described the alumni panel as interesting and insightful. “It helped me draw parallels between Lawrenceville in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and the School today,” he elaborated. “Hearing that one of the panelists had [Nancy Thomas H’01 P’04 ’07] as their math teacher pulled me closer to their stories,” he added, “One of them was here at the same time as [Science Teacher Daniel Concepcion ’02].” For Fisher, the discussion showed him “a segment of Lawrenceville’s history that [he] can relate to personally.” In the future, he hopes for questions to be more centered around student life on campus. 

Likewise, Akhila Mantri ’25 enjoyed the event, calling it inspiring. She saw the panelists as “role models,” whose time at Lawrenceville molded their resilience and character. “The panelists gave me confidence,” she explained, “Their stories reminded me that I, too, will be successful.” Indeed, regardless of the panelists’ varying achievements and leaderships on campus, “they worked out to become better versions of themselves.” Looking ahead, Mantri hopes for the School to host discussions with “alumni panels that cover a more diverse array of professions.” 

Reflecting upon the mandatory programming, Alex Mo ’26 expressed his commendations. “It was very encouraging,” he remarked, “Programs like [the Black Alumni panel] helps recognize the strengths of people of color on campus.” Mo further elaborated that “the programming even transcends race and color.” Indeed, it went beyond and “demonstrated the strengths and creativity that diversity, in general, brings” to the School. “Discussions create community,” he said. For Mo, “stories secure space, and listening to alumni recount the tales during their time at the School holds power.” 

“Lawrenceville is changing for the better,” Penn said, “From inviting Black alumni to speak out on their experiences to promoting AfroFest, the School is taking one step at a time.”