Honoring History and Inspiring the Future at The Mount’s BHM Assembly

By Taylor Provillon, a junior at Mount St. Dominic Academy

Mount St. Dominic Academy's Diversity Club held its annual Black History Month assembly on February 3, 2025, in the PAC. Like all Mount assemblies, the fully student-led event was organized by club president and Black History Month committee chair Arianna Jean-Philippe, with guidance from faculty mentor Ms. Nicole Perez-Cheddie and contributions from club members Alexis Castañeda, Janiyah Dunmore, Alexa Leiva-Carrasco, and Olivia Bayuelo.

This year’s theme, “African Americans in Labor,” highlighted Black contributions across industries and eras, offering a broad and insightful perspective on Black life and culture. The presentation explored the history and achievements of Sleeping Car Porters and maids, Black Americans in the military, Black-owned organizations uplifting communities of color, and Black Americans in medicine. Throughout the event, Mount students gained a deeper understanding of Black history and the enduring fight for rights and equality.

“This assembly was a powerful showcase of student leadership and learning. I’m so proud of our Diversity Club members for creating such a meaningful and insightful event,” said Mrs. Perez-Cheddie.

With each club member presenting on different related topics, Janiyah Dunmore shared a personal reflection on her family's legacy of long-serving educators and the challenges she has faced as an African American, including confronting stereotypes.

Keynote speaker Dr. Janine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Image Dermatology in Montclair, discussed skin cancer, the importance of daily sun protection, and common dermatological concerns. Through a mix of humor and education, she shared insightful patient anecdotes to emphasize key messages—such as the dangers of tattoo ink containing harmful chemicals, the risks of tanning beds, and the importance of proper skincare.

Dr. Downie discussed the challenges she faced in her career as an African American female physician, including racism and sexual harassment, and her determination to overcome these obstacles. She also emphasized the importance of making good life decisions and defining one's own identity, rather than letting others define you. "Your life will be composed of the decisions you make, and at every single stop you have to make good decisions, because that's going to guide your life, and that's going to either improve your life or that's going to wreck your life, depending on those decisions you make," she stated.

In addition, Dr. Downie cautioned the students about the risks of getting tattoos, especially from unregulated tattoo parlors that may use unsafe practices, which can lead to serious health issues. She strongly advised the students to avoid tanning beds, as they dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer. She also emphasized that there is no such thing as a "safe tan" and encouraged the use of sunscreen daily.

Overall, Dr. Downie's message was focused on empowering the young women to make wise, informed decisions about their health and well-being, and to not let others undermine their potential or define who they are.

In conclusion, the Mount’s annual Black History Month assembly was a meaningful and enriching experience for all who attended. Through thought-provoking presentations, students gained a deeper understanding of African Americans' contributions and struggles, particularly in the workforce. Dr. Janine Downie’s inspiring keynote address, combined with the insightful work of Diversity Club members, made the event both educational and engaging. The assembly fostered a sense of unity within the school community, celebrating diverse cultures and recognizing the lasting impact of Black Americans throughout history. With such a positive response from students and staff, anticipation is already building for next year’s event as the Mount continues its commitment to honoring diversity and promoting cultural awareness. Principal Dr. Karen D’Avino praised the assembly's impact, stating, “The Black History Month assembly exemplifies the Mount’s commitment to education, inclusion, and student leadership. Our Diversity Club members created a meaningful, thought-provoking program that not only honored Black contributions to society but also inspired important conversations about history, identity, and resilience. Events like this enrich our school community and empower our students to be informed, compassionate leaders in the world beyond our halls.”

(NOTE: MSDA junior Taylor Provillon is a member of the Mount’s Journalism class. As part of the coursework, some of the articles written in that class are being published in the media, showcasing the students’ journalistic skills and providing real-world writing experience.)