Long Beach community members can immerse themselves in a night full of delicious soul food, student art, live performances, and more, during a community event hosted by local high school students and parents.<\/p>\n
Renaissance High School for the Arts will be hosting its third annual \u201cRHSA Student Taste of Soul,\u201d a student and parent-led Black History Month celebration that brings together students, families, educators, and community members through culture, creativity and student voice. The free event will be held on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the high school campus, 255 E. Eighth St.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme for the event is \u201cA Cultural Passport Through Time,\u201d which will bring together different historical aspects from the West Coast and Mardi Gras all the way to the Harlem Renaissance.<\/p>\n
The celebration centers Black culture, arts education and community engagement in a \u201cpowerful and visual way,\u201d organizers said, and is a powerful platform where Black students lead, create and shine, showcasing their creativity, heritage and leadership.<\/p>\n
Attendees can look forward to student and alumni performances, including song and dance performances, drumming, stepping, spoken word, and a student-designed fashion show. There will also be soul food, Black-owned business vendors, community-based organization booths, and culturally themed spaces inspired by the theme, and more, according to a press release.<\/p>\n
The \u201cRHSA Student Taste of Soul\u201d event was put together by the high school\u2019s Black Student Union, RHSA Sankofa Parent Group leaders, families, community members, and district partners, organizers said.<\/p>\n
The RHSA Sankofa Parent Group is a volunteer parent-led collective that supports the academic success, well-being and cultural affirmation of Black students at Renaissance High, according to the group\u2019s website. As part of the district-wide Long Beach Unified School District Sankofa Parent Village, the group partners with students, educators, and community members to create culturally affirming experiences, strengthen family engagement, and uplift Black students in alignment with the district\u2019s Black Student Achievement Initiative.<\/p>\n
At a time when many families are grappling with ongoing violence, racial harm, and uncertainty in their communities, this event is meant to offer a powerful example of how schools can be spaces of care, affirmation and collective resilience, organizers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we recognize and uplift Black history and culture, we strengthen the entire fabric of our community,\u201d the RHSA Sankofa Parent Group wrote on its website. \u201cThis event provides our students with a culturally affirming experience that builds identity, pride, and belonging \u2013 essential ingredients for academic and personal success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event will also honor Superintendent Jill Baker \u2014 who announced her retirement last month \u2014 <\/a>for her legacy of leading with equity in response to longstanding disparities faced by Black students across the district, organizers said.<\/p>\n