Black History Month In West Orange Schools: Music, Dance, Quilts

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange public schools are celebrating Black History Month with a range of activities and events, including music, dance and a visit from a quilter who incorporates symbols used by the Underground Railroad into her work.

Community members came together on Feb. 3 at the annual Black History Month scholarship gala at West Orange High School, enjoying a “warm, family-oriented event” that honored Black culture through music and dance, district administrators said.

The event was organized by officers of the Student Council and Jubilee Choir.

Performances by the award-winning AB-Salute Boys' Step Team and Optimal Precision Girls' Step Team were a highlight of the evening, which featured food from Maschio's, and additional dance routines from Jubilee Dance, Elixir, and Nakhayla Green. Poetry readings by Ketsia Jourdain, Mikayla Rivera, and the Unity Club provided personal insights and James Felton and Justus Wheatley brought down the house with their performances of "Song for You" and "Stand Up." The Jubilee Choir filled the Tarnoff Cafe with spiritual songs like "Total Praise" and "Ride On."

West Orange High School Class of 2017 alumnus Justin Davis, who now serves as a local police officer, was guest speaker. In addition to his job as a police officer, Davis is a skilled percussionist and D.J. See Related: West Orange Cop Shows Off Drum Skills With School Band (VIDEO)

Davis left the audience with a saying that he has used many times in his own life: “Pain is temporary – it may last a minute, an hour, or even a day, but it will eventually subside and something else will take its place. However, if you quit, it will last forever.”

“I love the diversity of our West Orange community and high school,” principal Oscar Guerrero said, expressing an emotion many were feeling that night. “It is so wonderful to be able to come together and celebrate all that comprises who we are.”

Watch a few videos taken at the event below (article continues underneath).

QUILTING FOR BLACK HISTORY

In another nod to Black History Month, fiber artist Sherry Shine met with students, faculty, staff, and parents at West Orange High School on Feb. 3 to exhibit some of her art quilts and discuss her life and creative process.

Originally from East Orange, Shine now lives in Philadelphia.

To honor Black history, Shine incorporates symbols into her works used by the Underground Railroad to send different kinds of messages and information. Called “quilt codes,” they gave instructions to those traveling the Underground Railroad to freedom.

According to district administrators:

“Unlike many artists, Shine worked in the public sector for 20 years. During that time, she began creating her works of art in the evenings after her friend’s dressmaker aunt mentored her. She begins by sketching out what she wants her picture to look like and utilizes quilt batting, quilt fabrics, embellishment and paint to complete her vision, which may take two to six weeks to complete. She works on long and short-arm sewing machines and is inspired by music, poetry and history.”

As a commissioned artist, Shine’s works appear across the country in galleries and colleges, including Bank Street College, New York, NY, Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, Michigan, The Bedford Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NY, Manhattan Community College, New York, NY and The National Constitutional Center, Philadelphia, PA.

The visit was orchestrated by Tamika Pollins, director of diversity, equity, access and inclusion.

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