Lake Oconee Academy is excited to celebrate Black History Month with a joyful celebration that will highlight Black American’s past, present, and future. This community wide event will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in the lower school cafeteria and will kick off with some of Greensboro’s most delicious food trucks from local vendors: Jeremy’s Wing Shack, Redd’s BBQ and Catering, Jamaican Backyard Cookout, and CC’s Sweet Treats. Food trucks will have local favorites available for purchase from 4:00PM-7:00PM and will be in the parking lot by the lower school cafeteria.
The program will begin at 5:00PM with a special art showcase displaying various student art pieces that pay tribute to the talents of some of the most noteworthy Black artists. All are welcome to peruse the skilled technique that these students have been working so hard to perfect. Photographs inspired by the styles of Gordan Parks and Kennedi Carter, African American Masks inspired by Kimmy Cantrell, and collage paintings with the flair of Romare Beardon are just a few examples of the beauty and creativity that will be on display. The showcase will include artwork from all LOA’s art departments, elementary through high school.
As the art showcase wraps up, spirited performances in dance, music, and poetry will begin at 6:00PM in the lower school cafeteria. Students from 1st through 4th grade will share a beautifully inspiring dance. There will also be a special reading of “Ballad of Birmingham '' by Dudley Randall to be recited by one of LOA’s seniors. The celebration will continue with piano and vocal performances by LOA middle school students, as well as a foot-tapping compilation by Fatz Waller and other composers, performed by LOA’s Jazz band.
Lake Oconee Academy is honored to have Mamie Hillman, Director of the Greene County African American Museum, as the event’s guest speaker as she shares her enthusiasm and commitment to Black history and culture with our community.