West Patent Celebrates Black History Month in Joy-Filled Assembly

West Patent Elementary School celebrated Black History Month with an energetic, jubilant schoolwide assembly that had students and staff alike singing and dancing. The Harambee Dance Company, a group that blends traditional African dance with contemporary dance, gave an immersive, multidisciplinary presentation that was a huge hit.

Students learned about different drums and how they’re made, about how the pitch of the drums can be changed, how to say a few words in Swahili and more.

“Harambee means ‘pulling together,’” Sandella Malloy, who co-founded the company with her husband Frank, told the group. “You can join right in with us. Maybe do some singing and dancing?”

Drummers tapped out feverish beats while a group of dancers in beautiful, vibrant costumes wowed students.

“Music is good for the body, right?” Malloy asked them. “It makes you want to dance!”

Students participated in a few different call and response activities throughout the assembly, helping to sing a song and clapping in response to different drumbeats. They participated in dancing as well, with the entire school taking part in a high energy call and response dance.

Smiles lit up students faces as they turned to each other and said, “That was so fun!”

“When we pull together, it makes things easier,” Malloy said. “You all were amazing!”

Before transitioning out of the assembly, Principal Inas Morsi Hogan thanked the company as well as the entire school for their participation. “What a wonderful way to culminate Black History Month,” she said.