Black History Month 2024
Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop
“I consider myself a crayon; I may not be your favorite color, but you’ll need me to complete your picture.”
— Lauryn Hill
We are excited to share with you some of the exciting events and activities that we have planned in collaboration with students to occur throughout the month of February. We encourage your participation in as many events and activities that you have time to fit into your schedule.
We are proud of the vision of the SPASD to be recognized as a high performing school district of choice that reflects the values of our diverse community. We are grateful to be part of a school district and community where there is a commitment to diversity and belonging.
We hope you will engage with us as a community of learners to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans.
Please join us all month as we celebrate Black History Month!
Upcoming Community Events
All students, families, staff, and community members are welcome
Soul Food Dinner
Friday, February 23, 2024
5:30-7:00 pm
Sun Prairie East High School
888 Grove St.
Free meal catered by McGee's Chicken with desserts made by SP East's ProStart students. Entertainment by Fabulove Enterprises
Donations will be accepted and appreciated. Proceeds benefit high school Black Student Unions (BSUs).
50 Years of Hip-Hop Gallery Walk
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
6:00–7:30 pm
Prairie View Middle School
400 N. Thompson Rd.
Enjoy various presentations as the students walk you through the decades of Hip-Hop culture in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop.
Presented by the Department of Systemic Equity & Inclusion and led by middle school BSU students from Central Heights, Patrick Marsh, and Prairie View.
Featured School-Based Events
These events will happen during the school day and are open to students.
These are just a few of the events happening in our schools this month.
Reach out to your student’s school to learn more about how they’re celebrating Black History Month!
Guest Speaker: Chris “Godxilla” Taylor
Monday, February 5, 2024
Sun Prairie East & Sun Prairie West High Schools
All high school students are welcome.
Chris “Godxilla” Taylor is the owner of “The Mountaintop Audiovisual LLC” based in Glendale,WI. With over 30 years of music production experience he has worked with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Godxilla holds degrees in music technology, entertainment media and entertainment business. Recording, mixing and mastering come second nature to this career music producer.
From 2015 to 2018 Godxilla lived in Los Angeles and served not only as a recording engineer but also as a sound recordist for film and commercials. Commercial campaigns for brands like TJ Maxx, Maybelline and DJI are all great experiences that helped shape his view of today’s entertainment and media industries.
His notable credits include KRS-One, Mad Lion, Afroman, Too $hort, Kobe Bryant, Jack Black, Todd Gurly, Isaiah Thomas Jr., Blair Underwood, Joe Torry, Rich Da Kid, Lil Boosie, Bizzy Bone, Tori Hart, Nipsey Hussle, Treach from Naughty By Nature, Jayo Felony, Bishop Lamont, The World Class Wreckin’ Crew, Coolio, Bushwick Bill, Kurupt Young Gotti, Crooked I, Organized Noise, X-Clan, O.G. Big Mike, Latoya Williams, Baby Drew and Coo Coo Cal.
Guest Speaker: Marcus Porter
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Sun Prairie East & Sun Prairie West High Schools
All high school students are welcome.
Madison, Wisconsin is home to Hip-hop and R&B Artist & Producer Marcus Porter. Having always been from Wisconsin, Marcus Porter brings music which he deems as essential, uplifting and also inspirational. Using hues of Indie, Backpack Rap and hints of R&B, he began to create music for his own ears until he realized that his music began to resonate with other people. Having been lauded by fans as a true artist, Marcus Porter has performed at the Lifest Stage, Cap Times Live, Festival Foods Lights the Isthmus and has hosted many other intimate performances which are engaging and lively.
Read Your Heart Out
Friday, February 9, 2024
Creekside & Westside Elementary Schools
Friday, February 23, 2024
Northside & Royal Oaks Elementary Schools
In recognition of National African American Parent Involvement Day, schools celebrate Black and African American students' culture through the love of reading while bringing the community together. Community members and volunteers come into the schools to read a book to our students and connect with them through storytelling.
An Interview with Dr. Michael Morgan, Director of Systemic Equity & Inclusion
On a recent episode of Homeroom, our District's podcast, Dr. Michael Morgan gave a preview of some of the Black History Month events happening in our District. He also spoke about some of the work being done by the Department of Systemic Equity & Inclusion, introduced the new DSEI Community of Practice and talked about his upcoming Community Conversations event on March 11th. Note that the location for Community Conversations has changed since this episode was recorded. It will be March 11th at 4:30 PM in the Central Heights Middle School Library Media Center.
Click below to read the full School Board proclamation
