In honor of Black History Month, the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund (Ed Fund) awarded $27,000 in arts grants to support 27 classroom and school-wide projects and community events. Grants range from $500 to $1,500.
Funded projects and events “focus on teaching students the importance of Black culture, arts, history, music, and their impact on the world today,” according to the Ed Fund.
The grants will fund these projects and events:
- Hercules High (schoolwide): Celebrating Black History Through Dance
- El Cerrito High, Nystrom Elementary and Pinole Middle: Alvin Ailey Dance Company UC Berkeley performance
- Stege Elementary (classroom): Black Liberation Walking Tour Field Trip
- Richmond High (schoolwide): Celebrate Black History
- Verde K-8 (classroom): Building Literacy around Race and Racism in American through Accessible Books
- Richmond High (schoolwide): Black Student Union Rally, Blackout Dance, and Movie Day
- Pinole Valley High (classroom): Bringin Black Choral/Vocal Educators To Work with School Choir.
- Harding Elementary (classroom): 3D Builders in the 21st Century
- Tara Hills Elementary (classroom): Black History Month Art Collaboration
- District-wide A Music Tribute to Black History
- Pinole Valley High (schoolwide): Black History Month Commemorative Jubilee 2023
- Nystrom Elementary (classroom): Black Joy in the Culinary Arts
- Stewart K-8 (classroom): Splash of Curiosity
- Chavez Elementary (classroom): Movement with Motors
- Montalvin Manor K-8 (classroom): Book Study of “The Wastsons go to Birmingham,” by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Dejean and Helms middle and Kennedy and Richmond high: East Bay Center for Performing Arts Day
- Grant Elementary: OurStory-Experience History…
- Cameron School (schoolwide): African American Representation in Toys and Literature
- West County Mandarin School, Murphy Elementary, Bright Futures GDC (schoolwide): Black History Month Assemblies “We are One.”
- Middle College High (schoolwide): Group Presentation of a Timeline of Events in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Montalvin Manor K-8 (schoolwide): African American Fair
- Middle College High (classroom): Teen Night at the Symphony with ‘Disruptor Conductor’ Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser.
- Middle College High (schoolwide): Black History Month Rally.
- Middle College High (classroom): Black History Month
- Bay Area Girls Club: Black History Podcast and Arts & Crafts
- King Elementary (classroom): Mafanikio Black History Program 2023: Melanted and Brilliant
“Through culturally relevant guest lectures and performances by Black artists, WCCUSD students and the community will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a sense of pride and belonging, while celebrating their rich history and unique experiences,” officials with the Ed Fund said.
