To celebrate Black History Month, the Mercer Island High School Black Student Union (BSU) and Student Voices for Change unveiled a robust schedule of events during the week of Feb. 7-12.

Senior BSU councilmember Brooks Kahsai said this is just one way for the group to partner with the community so that Islanders can elevate together.

“There’s work to be done and that’s why the BSU exists,” he said. “Knowing how small our (Black student) community is, we wanted to have a place where Black students could come together and find their community.”

Events on the docket are a movie night (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), showing of the BSU documentary, a BSU dinner for families that identify as Black or African American and an assembly featuring critically acclaimed author Ijeoma Oluo addressing how people can be allies for the Black community. Also on tap are performances of the play “And a Child Shall Lead” and an Education Coalition for Asian American Representation Night Market. Another presentation of the documentary will occur next week and the school’s jazz band will perform later this month. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/mercerislandschooldistrict.

On the cultural cuisine front, the BSU has led a campaign with the high school cafeteria to serve Jamaican jerk chicken, Senegalese chicken yassa and Southern soul food, specifically mac and cheese.

Kahsai delved into what the BSU aims to convey with its documentary, which will feature testimonials from students about what the Black experience is like on the Island.

Touching upon his “unique” experience on Mercer Island, Kahsai noted that he identifies as a Black American who resides in a predominantly white community. Joining the BSU — which formed last year — was a crucial moment for him.

“BSU is the unique aspect that I would like to point on, and that’s the thing I wanted to highlight for other students with the documentary. Now I can say I have a small but very solid community of Black students at my school and that’s something that I hold very precious to me,” said Kahsai, noting that the group features about 25 consistent members, including dinner planner Tewodros Sanchez-Alemu.

This year, the BSU has stepped beyond the high school realm by reaching out to middle school and elementary school students while working on creating a more African-based curriculum, Kahsai said.

Another Islander senior, Rachel Senn, serves as co-president of Student Voices for Change and compiled a page of Black History Month resources for elementary schools.

“I wanted to do something that would give information about Black trailblazers in history that’s good for younger kids,” said Senn, whose page features impactful people like Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Dr. Mae Jemison, George Crum, Garrett Morgan, Dr. Marian R. Croak and more. To view the page for copious photos and details, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3z7h5d56.

It was a learning experience for Senn during her research, and the student feels she selected a wide range of groundbreakers for the youngsters to become familiar with while perusing the page.

“One of the things that I love most about being part of Student Voices for Change is that I’m able to learn from so many other people with so many different backgrounds and so many different ideas,” said Senn, who leads the group with senior co-president Eyal Danielli; associate principal Erica Hill lends a hand with the group’s activities, as well.

Islander Middle School students and staffers are also featuring Black History Month lessons, which will focus on key innovators, arts and culture and more. For information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3bvda9xd.

“These student and staff initiatives exemplify the ways our students are shaping our schools and staff serves as facilitators. Students are modeling for us ways to promote togetherness and a deeper sense of belonging,” said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Fred Rundle in a letter to the community.

Black Student Union (BSU) students pictured with the group’s advisers Kelly John-Lewis and Valerie Perine at the BSU dinner. Photo courtesy of Beniam Yetbarek

Brooks Kahsai gives a speech at the BSU dinner about the group’s campaigns during Black History Month. Photo courtesy of Beniam Yetbarek

Joy Pearl speaks at the BSU dinner about her positive experience being a part of the BSU community. Photo courtesy of Beniam Yetbarek

Tewodros Sanchez-Alemu organized the BSU dinner and discusses growing up on Mercer Island and finding comfort with BSU. Photo courtesy of Beniam Yetbarek