10 years after the start of the ETHS Social Consciousness Series, the 2024 ETHS Black Student Summit kicked off on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Continuing into Thursday, the event was designed for Black students and allies to celebrate and learn about Black joy, culture and community.
Organized by the 2024 ETHS Black Student Summit Committee, this year’s summit theme was “In Lak’ech,” a Mayan phrase that translates to “You are my other me.”
The planning committee welcomed summit attendees with various music performances before the ceremony in the auditorium began. To start off the summit, senior Joe Salgado recited a poem that touched on stereotypes, police brutality, gun violence and oppression that he and the Black community face.
In following the theme of solidarity, a solidarity statement was made. The statement touched on people fighting for their liberty in Palestine, lives lost in the Congo and how the 2024 Black Student Summit Committee condemns the Israeli government for its actions in Palestine. This was then followed by a moment of silence.
One of the speakers for this year’s summit was Jacqueline Newsome, a public defender, preacher and union organizer who graduated from the University of Chicago Law School. She followed the theme of solidarity and spoke about the importance of co-existence and how students should forgive those who had done them wrong.
The ceremony was then followed by breaking out into a collection of different workshops and affinity spaces where students could choose where to be. Some of the workshops, such as “Generational Hurt,” “Congo, the Heart of Africa” and “Soulful Enlightenment,” dove deep into exploring different parts of Black culture and history. Other workshops offered affinity spaces to encourage discussions and build a community centered around shared experiences. Those included “Brotherhood,” “Group Pam Nan Komem Nou Yé,” “Black Girls Brilliance” and “Blackness & Disability.” After a half day of workshops, lunch was provided by Qaato African Restaurant and Claire’s Korner, two Black-owned restaurants in Evanston.
Among student participants, the variety of workshops available was appreciated.
“[The summit] has been going well, the workshops were good,” said senior Toluwanimi Adeosun.
Other students appreciated the other activities on offer, such as an open gym.
“I liked [the summit]. I enjoyed going to the open gym,” said sophomore Liam Lucas.
