Student Leaders Launch Inaugural Black History Month Festival in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH — Students at Harmony School of Innovation Fort Worth took ownership of Black History Month this year, organizing and leading the campus’s first-ever festival.

The African American Honor Society spearheaded the Feb. 25 event, establishing a new student-led tradition focused on celebrating culture, educating peers and bringing families together.

The festival drew a strong turnout of parents and community members. Performances by the “Bad and Bougie” drumline and the campus cheerleaders energized the gym, while younger children enjoyed impromptu dancing and sampled offerings from three local food trucks.

Community partners also participated, including a Fort Worth city council representative, the Fort Worth Zetas sorority and the Fort Worth Families Forward organization. Each group hosted informational booths and shared how they support students and families across Fort Worth.

Dean of Students Terry McBeth credited the students for leading the effort.

“It is all about the students and their never-ending efforts,” McBeth said. “The success of our students is our success.”

Throughout February, the African American Honor Society organized discussions, historical spotlights and educational engagement activities across campus. The festival served as the culminating celebration of those efforts.

Senior Tyasia Johnson, treasurer of the organization, played a central role in coordinating the month’s programming and launching the inaugural festival. In addition to her leadership involvement, she runs track and cross country and holds two school records.

“It is important for me to get this tradition established so that we can pass it on to future classes,” Johnson said. “There are so many significant Black figures and so many things that come from Black culture that some people do not even realize.”

For Johnson, one of the most meaningful outcomes was unity.

“One of the most important parts of celebrating this month is bringing people together,” she said.

School leaders say the inaugural festival marks the beginning of a lasting student-driven tradition at Harmony School of Innovation Fort Worth.

Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with more than 60 campuses serving PreK-Grade 12 students in 23 cities across the state, including Greater Houston, DFW, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, Bryan, Beaumont, and the Rio Grande Valley. Harmony’s curriculum places a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness.

Harmony Public Schools is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year for both students and team members.