It was a night of inspirational music, dance, poetry and spoken word performances as the South Huntington School District, Huntington School District, and the Town of Huntington co-hosted our annual Black History Month Celebration on February 13th in the PAC. This year’s theme encompassed the power of unity, black culture, and community. 

The night started off with a few numbers by the Walt Whitman High School Jazz Band as guests gathered in the Performing Arts Center. Walt Whitman principal Dr. John Murphy, Assistant principal Dr. Kendall Richards, and Huntington High School principal Ms. Rochelle Brown then welcomed everyone and promised a night of artistry, talent and expressiveness to celebrate our diverse community. “Black History Month at Walt Whitman High School is something special. We truly believe that diversity brings out the best in all of us. What better night to be able to share in this diversity and be able to say ‘thank you so much’ to our community, to our students, and to the Town of Huntington for making this such a special place,” said Dr. Murphy. 

The Huntington High School Chamber Choir performed the National Anthem, followed by Walt Whitman eleventh grader Kamar Patterson’s singing of the Negro National Anthem. Impressive student performances continued with Birchwood Intermediate School’s presentation of Black History Poems accompanied by NYSSMA Music Student Leaders on the piano, followed by historical facts and spoken word by Huntington High School’s Afro Caribbean Heritage Club. 

Barry Lites, Esq., also came to the stage to announce the ongoing plans and fundraising for the creation of the Huntington African American Museum that will highlight stories of African Americans alongside those of Native Americans and other marginalized voices from the Huntington community. After his presentation, he welcomed playwright and performer J.D. Lawrence to the PAC stage for an abridged but powerful theatrical performance of “Skitzophrenia.”

The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Dr. Melvin Douglass, A.S., B.S., M.S., M.A., A.L.M., Ed.M., Ed.D., L.H.D.  A native of Harlem, NY, Dr. Douglass earned his degrees from Vincennes University (A.S.), Tuskegee University (B.S.), Morgan State University (M.S.), New York University (M.A.), Harvard University (A.L.M.), and Columbia University (Ed.M., Ed.D.).

Dr. Douglass is frequently called upon to address civic, ecumenical, educational, fraternal, and professional organizations. As a former chairperson in the South Huntington School District for 24 years, overseeing multiple departments in more than one building, the impact Dr. Douglass has had on our district alone has made a lasting impact. He says his goal in life is embodied in a proverb written by Claude Thomas Bissell: “Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”

After our keynote speaker was presented with a Town of Huntington proclamation by the town’s Receiver of Taxes, Jillian Guthman, student performances continued with a musical number by Stimson Middle School’s Intramural Band, the Huntington High School Chamber Choir singing “Ain’t Dat Good News,” and rounding out the evening of performances was a routine by Walt Whitman’s Step Team. 

Thank you to everyone from our school community and our Huntington neighbors who made this night such a success!  If you missed any of the performances, you can watch the recorded version by clicking here on the SHUFSD Public Relations YouTube channel. 

View more photos here!

Walt Whitman High School 11th grader Kamar Patterson sang the Negro National Anthem.

Birchwood Intermediate School students did a  presentation of Black History Poems accompanied by NYSSMA Music Student Leaders on the piano.

The Huntington High School Chamber Choir.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Melvin Douglass, is frequently called upon to address civic, ecumenical, educational, fraternal, and professional organizations.

South Huntington musicians from Stimson Middle School’s Intramural Band performed a musical number.

Playwright and performer J.D. Lawrence did an abridged but powerful theatrical performance of “Skitzophrenia.”

Walt Whitman’s Step Team commanded the stage with their routine.

(left to right) South Huntington BOE President Nicholas Ciappetta, Silas Wood educator Dr. Gay Bullock, keynote speaker Dr. Melvin Douglass, Mrs. Kimberly Joyner, BOE Trustee Sidney Joyner, WWHS Principal Dr. John Murphy.

All guests were welcomed to Walt Whitman’s South Cafeteria for a delicious dinner after the annual program concluded.