Black History Month Celebrated at Lawrenceville

Lawrentians are honoring the resilience, beauty, and joy of Black culture throughout Black History Month, an annual celebration of the contributions of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

Among February’s highlights was a Black Alumni panel discussion held Saturday, February 15 featuring Turquoise Brewington ’18, Greg Good ’02, and Erica Callier-Valestin '93 and moderated by Fifth Former Xavier Penn.

Reflecting on their time as Lawrentians, the panelists shared examples of how faculty and fellow students helped create spaces of belonging.

“Challenge yourself to get to know folks who are not like you,” Good encouraged the audience. “Show up as your full self. Lawrenceville is enriched by everyone showing up as their full selves, especially those who feel like this is not a place for them.”

Explaining how she helped create the student group Black Women at Lawrenceville, Brewington told the audience to feel empowered to create new communities.

“If you don’t see the space, champion and create it,” she said. “Having the support of amazing faculty and peers really makes the experience.”

“What’s similar [across generations] is Lawrenceville’s commitment to students, investment it makes and education - you will never find the level of passion you get from the instructors here when you leave these gates,” Callier-Velastin said. 

All of the panelists encouraged students to make the most of their time at the School.

“I don’t mind going into the room and not knowing, but I have to be open to learning what others have to share and be humble enough to ask questions of what I don’t know - that’s a hallmark of Harkness,” said Good. “There’s no place to hide, but it’s also a place to stand out.”

“You’re around other super brilliant, driven, competitive folks,” Brewington said. “Talk to other people you wouldn’t have talked to before.”

“Don’t take these experiences for granted, you never know when you’ll be able to use them or break barriers,” said Callier-Velastin. “You’re always going to have to work together. You’ll have differences in opinion, and appreciating what Lawrenceville does for you in that space is important.”

The celebrations continued after the alumni panel with AfroFest, a celebration of the cultures of the African Diaspora through food, crafts, games, music, and more. Lawrenceville faculty provided some of the event’s many highlights, including a graffiti tutorial with Hutchins Institute for Social Justice Executive Director Zaheer Ali, a beading workshop with Dean of Diversity, Equality and Community Engagement Cameron Brickhouse, as well as student-led activities such as a Fro-Beats dance tutorial with Bella Spencer ’26 and a spades tutorial and game led by Ameer Allison ’25. Attendees enjoyed AfroCaribbean snacks and treats throughout the event.

The same evening, Lawrenceville’s Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsored a trip to Princeton University’s McCarter Theatre to see Grammy-Award winning artist Meshell Ndegeocello’s performance, “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin,” and on Sunday, the Hallelujah! Worship Service featured music provided by History Teacher Vielka Hoy, Xavier Penn ‘25 and jazz performer Charlotte Small and Trio.

Other events during the month include “Listening as a Creative Act: Hip Hop Across Generations,” led by Ali, as well as affinity group dinners, senior stories, and more.

Check out more Lawrenceville Black History Month Celebration photos on the School’s Flickr page.

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.