Shelby County Schools is celebrating Black History Month with a series of special events and activities throughout the month of February. We’re also encouraging our schools and families to share creative and inspirational messages, photos and videos about the importance and impact of African-American history on social media using #BHM901. Well be capturing some of our favorite posts in the SCS Newsroom throughout the month.

Student Art & Literature Contest: Black History and I Matter Because…
February 4-5 – Canvas & Art Supplies Pick-Up (9-11 a.m. or 2-5:30 p.m. | BOE – 160 S. Hollywood); February 21 – All Submissions Due
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Students in grades 3-12 of all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to submit creative, innovative and reflective works based on the theme, “Black History and I Matter Because… .” Students may submit original works of visual or performing art or written entries. Acceptable art forms include: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. All student works will be judged on interpretation of the theme, overall creativity and artistic technique. Writing entries should describe how African-Americans have helped to define why Black History and you matter. Entries for grades 3-5 should be 300 words or less, and grades 6-12 should be 500 words or less. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Equity Office, ATTN.: M. LOWE, 160 S. Hollywood, Rm. 256 (Schools & Leadership), Memphis, TN 38112.

Memphis in Black: Black Voice in Media
February 4 @ 6 p.m.
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Memphis in Black is a panel discussion featuring local African-American journalists who will speak about their experiences in the industry, what it means to be a black journalist and how they amplify black voices in their work. Special guests will include Jerica Phillips, SCS Chief of Communications, Jeremy Pierre of Fox13 News, Danisha Thomas of Local 24 and Michael Adrian Davis of 88.5FM.

Movie Night: How to Secure the Bag
February 11 @ 4:45 p.m.

Tune in for a special showing of "The Banker" on Microsoft Teams. After the movie, a panel discussion will take place with a group of young men who are SCS student leaders to discuss black male entrepreneurs and the obstacles and successes in the world of business. Click here to watch!

Codes to Freedom
February 17

“Codes to Freedom” is a video exploring the many ways slaves communicated. Watch here.

Family Literacy Night
February 18 @ 6 p.m.

The Family and Community Engagement Department will host a virtual celebration highlighting books about the Black experience through storytelling. Students will receive copies of the award-winning, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, which highlights the self-esteem, confidence and swagger boys feel following a haircut, and Granddaddy's Gift by Margaree King Mitchell, which highlights the importance of civic engagement through voting. These texts will engage young readers, their families and the community alike through investments of reading libraries in local barbershops and the involvement of local community leaders in the ongoing work of civic engagement.

Coming From Where I’m From

We'll take a candid look at our school neighborhoods and the Black church, as well as the history of our public schools. This series features MCS/SCS alumni with interviews and real-life accounts of growing up black in Memphis. Watch the videos here!

African Drip
February 12, 19 & 26

Students and educators are encouraged to show off their best cultural attire, or "drip" as the youth call it. Participants can post photos on social media and tag the Department of Student Affairs.

• February 12: Casual Drip
• February 19: Sunday's Best Drip
• February 26: African Drip

Music Monday on 88.5FM
February 1, 8, 15 & 22

Every Monday, the Voice of SCS, 88.5FM, will feature MCS/SCS alumni and those who have spent time in the city and have been influenced by its soulful roots. Artists will be sharing their historical experiences in the genre.

• February 1 - Blues 
• February 8 - Soul and R&B 
• February 15 - Hip-Hop and Rap 
• February 22 - Gospel