Snowed-Out Swampscott S.U.R.E. Black History Month Celebration Rescheduled

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — S.U.R.E. Diversity (Swampscott Unites, Respects, and Embraces Diversity)'s fifth annual Swampscott Black History Month Celebration has been rescheduled after the Feb. 24 date was postponed because of snow.
The event highlights art and music created by Swampscott's elementary, middle and high school students, with this year's theme being "Black History is OUR History!"

The new event date is March 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Swampscott High School.

The evening will begin at 5:30 pm in the atrium with a performance by the high school jazz ensemble. Free pizza and popcorn will be available for attendees. Elementary and middle school students will display their artwork and wall decor throughout the atrium.

The high school chorus and band, including the high school jazz band Turtle on a Strong, will then perform. High school students will also host an interactive game of Jeopardy, modeled on the popular TV show, with a category focused on Black History.

The "Community Voices" segment will feature experiences shared by past and present Swampscott High students.

"Let's celebrate and recognize the contributions of Black Americans to Swampscott, the Commonwealth, and the nation, and show how our country has benefited from that rich heritage," Keli Khatib, Chair of S.U.R.E, said. "We are excited that students from all Swampscott schools are participating."

Event sponsors include the town of Swampscott and Congregation Shirat Hayam/Justice For All. Event partners are METCO, First Church in Swampscott Congregational, the Swampscott Historical Commission, and Swampscott’s Police Department and Fire Department. S.U.R.E. Diversity, established in 2016, is a volunteer community group dedicated to celebrating human diversity.

The organization also sponsors programs, such as the S.U.R.E. Diversity Book Club, and supports events like Town Pride Day and Juneteenth.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)