Washington County students celebrate Black History Month in first-ever event

The half-day event at East Ridge High School featured breakout sessions on topics like afrobeats dance, songwriting, and navigating mental health.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Teenagers in Washington County arrived at East Ridge High School in Woodbury on President's Day to take part in the county's first Black History Month Student Social. The event, organized by the school district, featured a variety of breakout sessions for students to learn about and celebrate their Black heritage, including afrobeats dance lessons, songwriting workshops, and mental health discussions.

Why it matters

The event was an effort by the school district to ensure Black students feel "seen, heard, valued, and celebrated" during Black History Month, as the district typically relies on the school's Black Student Union to organize such events. By taking the lead this year, the district wanted to remove the planning burden from students and provide them with a dedicated space to explore their culture and identity.

The details

The half-day event drew a crowd of students who wanted to learn and celebrate their Black history. Breakout session topics included afrobeats dance lessons, song creation using songwriting and recording elements, writing an origin story, and navigating mental health as a teen. Students also had the opportunity to learn from industry experts, such as gaming professionals and leadership coaches.

  • The event took place on President's Day, February 17, 2026.

The players

Naitoh Kai

The cultural liaison at East Ridge High School, who came up with the idea for the Black History Month Student Social.

Ashley Acosta-Meyer

The South Washington County Schools DEI Supervisor, who said the district wanted to take the lead on the event this year to celebrate the students.

Tolu Fajolu

A student at East Ridge High School and a member of the Black Student Union board, who spoke about the importance of understanding the effects of slavery and segregation.

Brandon Jones

A mental health professional, advocate, and host of the teen mental health podcast "It's Not Your Fault," who presented a breakout session on navigating stress.

Sheletta Brundidge

The founder of ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD), which sponsored the Black History Month Student Social, and who encouraged students to be persistent and ask questions.

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What they’re saying

“It's really an idea I had to celebrate students to make sure they feel seen, heard, valued, and celebrated here in our district.”

— Naitoh Kai, cultural liaison at East Ridge High School (audacy.com)

“Especially right now, it's important to understand the effects of slavery and segregation and how those effects are prevalent today.”

— Tolu Fajolu, student at East Ridge High School and Black Student Union board member (audacy.com)

“Let's talk about stress.”

— Brandon Jones, mental health professional, advocate, and host of the teen mental health podcast "It's Not Your Fault" (audacy.com)

“Ask questions and be curious.”

— Sheletta Brundidge, founder of ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD) (audacy.com)

“It's really cool to learn more about yourself and your culture and have a way to connect with other people who are like you.”

— Nevaeh Weakley, sophomore at East Ridge High School (audacy.com)

What’s next

As the first event of its kind in the district, the school plans to continue hosting the Black History Month Student Social in the future to provide a dedicated space for Black students to celebrate their heritage.

The takeaway

This event highlights the importance of school districts taking an active role in creating inclusive and celebratory spaces for students of color, especially during significant cultural observances like Black History Month. By removing the planning burden from students, the district was able to provide a meaningful and impactful experience that allowed Black students to feel seen, heard, and valued.