Providence Schools Celebrate Black History Month

Students participate in district and student-led events to honor Black culture and history.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Providence schools are celebrating Black History Month through a variety of programs and initiatives, including collaborations with the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, daily intercom announcements highlighting Black achievements, bake sales, film screenings, and workshops. While there is no standardized curriculum, schools are working to ensure the celebrations are "engaging, thoughtful and student-centered." Students have expressed a desire to not only recognize Black history, but also acknowledge historical and current disparities faced by the Black community.

Why it matters

Celebrating Black History Month provides an important opportunity for schools to honor the enduring contributions, achievements and leadership of African Americans. However, students have noted the importance of also highlighting the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the Black community, in order to empower students and foster meaningful discussions around equity and social justice.

The details

Providence schools are marking Black History Month through a variety of initiatives, including collaborations with the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, daily intercom announcements highlighting Black achievements, bake sales, film screenings, and workshops. While there is no standardized curriculum, schools are working to ensure the celebrations are "engaging, thoughtful and student-centered." Students have expressed a desire to not only recognize Black history, but also acknowledge historical and current disparities faced by the Black community.

  • Black History Month is celebrated annually in February.

The players

Providence Public School District

The school district serving the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society

An organization dedicated to preserving the history and accomplishments of people of African descent in Rhode Island.

Kingsley Dye

A sophomore at Providence Career and Technical Academy.

Alisson Aviles

A junior at Classical High School.

Rosgaly Perez

A junior at Providence Country Day.

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What they’re saying

“Acknowledging the full context of modern Black culture is important because this empowers students to exercise their civic capacity.”

— Kingsley Dye, Sophomore, Providence Career and Technical Academy (The Brown Daily Herald)

“We respect and acknowledge the sentiments shared by our students. While our intention is for Black history to be meaningfully integrated throughout the school year, we recognize that we are not where we want to be yet in how that is experienced by every student.”

— Alex Torres-Perez, Spokesperson, Providence Public School District (The Brown Daily Herald)

“I would just say there is always room for more!”

— Rosgaly Perez, Junior, Providence Country Day (The Brown Daily Herald)

What’s next

The Providence Public School District's Lunch and Learn series this month will focus on Black history, providing professional development for staff to deepen their understanding of equity, culture, and the diverse communities they serve.

The takeaway

While Providence schools are making efforts to celebrate Black history and culture, students have expressed a desire for these initiatives to go beyond just recognition and acknowledgment, and to also address the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the Black community. Integrating these perspectives can empower students and foster meaningful discussions around equity and social justice.