Black History Month observances at MPS raise awareness of contributions to society
Black History Month began February 1, 2025. All this month, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is celebrating and commemorating the contributions of black Americans throughout U.S. history. To raise awareness of those contributions, students district-wide have been researching, rehearsing, making art, and planning events and observances.
Black History Month began as a week-long event in 1926 before becoming a month-long observance in 1976. There’s even an MPS school named after Ralph Metcalfe, the American politician and Olympian who proposed legislation to observe February as Black History Month.
Following are some of the observances planned around the district. Some celebrations are open to the public and others are open to families of students.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Black History Pop-Up Shop Milwaukee School of Languages, 8400 W. Burleigh St. Join the MSL Black Student Union for shopping. Families, students, and the community can browse goods from clothing, food, and jewelry vendors.
Thursday, February 20, 2025 African American Male and Female Teach-In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., School, 3275 N. Third St. A decades-long school tradition, the Teach-In brings African American role models and mentors to classrooms to discuss careers, community building, setting and achieving goals, and more. Mentors and role models share with scholars and network with each other. Family members volunteer during this February event, which also includes lunch.
Friday, February 21, 2025 American Black History Program Washington High School of Information Technology, 2525 N. Sherman Blvd. Students will celebrate and learn about the history and contributions of black individuals and communities. The program will feature several student performances and historical presentations.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 A Celebration of Black History Throughout the Ages River Trail School of Agricultural Science, 12021 W. Florist Ave. Families and staff will enjoy a musical journey from Southern blues to contemporary R&B, Jamaica to Nigeria. Students in grades K-2 will perform two numbers from Bob Marley & the Wailers: “Three Little Birds” and “Lively Up Yourself.” Musicians from grades 3-5 will play the blues on ukulele and xylophone. Modern band musicians in grades 6-8 bring voice, bass and electric and acoustic guitars, and percussion instruments onstage to cover the Alicia Keys-Usher duet “My Boo” and Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts.” Eighth graders will take the stage for a visual arts finale featuring papier-mâché masks made by them and inspired by Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Laolu Senbanjo.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 9 to 10:15 a.m. Rise and Shine! A Celebration of African American Leaders and Inventors Richard Kluge School, 5760 N. 67th St. Every student participates in this celebration of scientists, scholars, and leaders. Families, community, and special guests can attend the 75-minute program.
Thursday, February 27, 2025 Black History Gallery Night: Celebrating the Arts Maryland Avenue Montessori School, 2418 N. Maryland Ave. Families can walk through the school, taking in research and visual arts projects and performances from K4-8 students.
Friday, February 28, 2025 Black Wall Street Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., School, 3275 N. Third St. Families can attend the morning or afternoon lack Wall Street program being staged as part of this K-8 community school’s Black History Month celebration.
Friday, February 28, 2025 Black History Program Harold S. Vincent School of Agricultural Science, 7501 N. Granville Rd.
Friday, February 28, 2025 | 6 to 7 p.m The Music That Shaped Our Identity Riverside University High School, 1615 E. Locust St. Community and family are invited to the school’s official 2025 Black History Program.
In the Classroom Students at River Trail School of Agricultural Science are stirring up history and science, along with sugar and paint, for the school’s George Washington Carver Peanut Butter Contest. From K4 to grade 2, students will prepare and present recipes and art projects in honor of the agricultural scientist and inventor. They’ll collect and record feedback in a bar graph that charts each recipe’s popularity. Teacher Joshua Gonzalez has supervised the contest before and knows what to expect: sugar. “They will dump it in,” he says.
