On the morning of Feb. 6, Alexandria City High School officially kicked off its Black History Month celebrations. Staff hosted Mayor Alyia Gaskins in the Forum at Minnie Howard for a discussion on her family’s history and her work as mayor. Gaskins was introduced by librarian LaGina Gross and Minnie Howard Ambassadors Sydney Robasson and Mahasin Madha. 

The event centered on a discussion of the 2002 book “One Shot Harris,” a collection of photos taken by Charles “Teeny” Harris from the 1930s to the 1970s. Harris was a Pittsburgh photographer and he dedicated his life to capturing the stories of Black Americans there. Gaskins’ grandmother is one of the opening photos in the book.

She explained, “What I take away from my family history is [that] my grandmother…was an educator, and for her life, and also throughout mine, the things that she always said was that the only way we would continue to move forward is with education.”

Gross, who helped organize the event, added, “I liked her connection with her personal life and growing up. Just like me, it’s personal things that drive you to become a librarian or a mayor.”

Students were able to ask Gaskins questions afterwards, which students took advantage of en masse. “Most of the time was actually directed to questions so that you could learn more. And it wasn’t just about Black History Month, but we also talked about policy changes as well,” said Robasson.

Attendees also highlighted the importance of education and youth involvement in the community, which have been elevated through city initiatives such as the Office of Historical Alexandria, the city’s Black History Museum and the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project.

 “One of the things I would encourage people to do is join our Alexandria Community Remembrance Project. This is a citywide effort, where we’re working with everyone from religious leaders to other stakeholders and nonprofits, to recognize Alexandria’s two lynching victims, to tell their stories, to educate about the past, but also to educate on the systems and structures that still need change to help be a more inclusive city,” said Gaskins.

She also noted that students should “look on the city’s website and see everything from story time, to panel talks, to dances, to dinners. There’s something happening almost every single day of this month.”

Robasson appreciated the emphasis on youth involvement. “You don’t have to have funds, you don’t have to have capital, but you need to have your voice and you need to have that motivation,” she said.

“You can start from anywhere,” added Madha.

Speakers placed an emphasis on the importance of celebrating diversity in the current political climate, “Black history is everybody’s history. We got to get together whether we have an Asian history month, Black History Month, Hispanic History Month—it’s all our history, right?” said Gross.

Mayor Gaskins was similarly undeterred, saying, “Black history is being created every single day. We have to learn about the past, but we also have to talk about the present and the future…Everyone around you has a story that should be told. Let’s lean in and learn a little bit more about each other.”

Black History Month is always celebrated vibrantly at ACHS, and in Alexandria in general, so students can look forward to more events later this month.