February marks the 100th Black History Month in the U.S., and Westridge kicked off the celebration with physical (displayed in the breezeway on campus!) and digital displays featuring Black American women from across history, tying into an emphasis on Black women leaders.

The 6th graders met with Judge Tara Newman, who spoke about her career journey from teaching third grade to practicing law, serving as deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, and later at the Los Angeles County Superior Court—appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Students asked about her experiences: How do you prepare for cases? What moment in court made you feel proudest about your job? Did you meet Kamala Harris? (Yes, she worked for her.)

Later in the month, the Black Student Union affinity leaders Irene A. '26, Whitley L. '26, and Micaela R. '26 hosted a "Black Excellence in Leadership"-themed Middle & Upper School assembly, kicking off with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (known as the Black national anthem) by Director of Equity Ian Tatum. The students then hosted a Q&A with none other than Lower & Middle School Director Dr. Zanita Kelly and Director of College Counseling Dr. Monique Eguavoen. The two were asked about their journey into education, making meaningful impact, and their experiences as Black women in leadership.

"My race is not something I can put on or take off like a jacket," said Dr. Eguavoen, speaking to how her identity affects her process with students starting their college journeys. "It's a core component of who I am as well as my lived experience. But I'm not solely a woman or specifically a Black woman—I'm also the first in my family to attend college. I come from a single-parent home with a mom with limited resources. And now, I myself am a mom. I'm also married to a first-generation American … So, all those components are things that I take with me into each individual conversation [I have with students]."

"And so, for me, what's most important is that when I'm working with a student or a family, I'm very intentional in my process," she continued. "I truly want to ensure that they feel a sense of belonging as well as fit, because each family has unique wants as well as needs within that process … Because of my background, something that's truly important to me is that I don't have assumptions for individuals who walk into my office."

Also, during Black History Month and early March…

• There were digital displays around campus focused on Black American women, featuring questions of the week (also sent to students via email)
• Lower School students had the tasty opportunity to sample traditional soul food from Irma Lee's Kitchen, a Black-owned catering company, courtesy of a few Westridge families in partnership with the Lower School Office. Soul food—a tradition shaped by African, European, and Indigenous American influences—represents resilience, creativity, and community.
• This week, Lower School students are participating in a read-in with Director of Equity Ian Tatum centered on the books “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy” by Angie Thomas and “The Marvellers” by Dhonielle Clayton. The books—written by Black women—were selected through collaborative work with Westridge librarian Stevie Bolton and a parent from the African American Family Representatives of Westridge (AAFROW) affinity.  Each Lower School student will receive a book through a generous donation from the  parent.
• BSU will be hosting a watch party of the short film “Being Black” for Upper School peers during lunch as a celebration of Black cinema and television. The film—co-created by David Adjei, Alvin Owusu, and Michael Jr. Onafowokan, and inspired by the Twitter hashtag #BeingBlack—brings together spoken word, visual storytelling, and real-life reflections to explore what it has meant for them to move through the world as Black people. From the creators' perspectives, the film offers insight into the shared joys, challenges, and complexities that shape Black life, without claiming to speak for all Black people.
• The BSU affinity heads also curated playlists featuring Black artists from the sounds of Motown (played in many homes during the Civil Rights Movement) to 90s rhythm and blues artists to now, in a celebration of Black music.
• The BSU affinity also shared information to celebrate Black inventors with students.