FCUSD honors Black History Month
FCUSD Honors Black History Month
Mindful, truthful, courageous conversations promote powerful learning.
FCUSD is proud to recognize the many contributions of Black Americans that have enriched, enhanced and improved our society and culture. Black history is American history.
Did you know that the origin of Black History Month dates back to 1926 and each year carries a theme?
According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History “The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora.”
The same source states “Black Health and Wellness not only include one’s physical body, but also emotional and mental health.”
Below are just a few of our FCUSD staff that work with our students to foster a sense of wellbeing within our schools and community.
Morgan Smith graduated from the University of San Francisco where she studied to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been a Mental Health Therapist with FCUSD for 5 years now.
During her time in the district, she has worked tirelessly to support staff and students alike, going as far as co-founding the only Black Student Union (BSU) at the elementary school level in Northern California.
Terry Douglas is a campus monitor and mentor at Mills Middle School. “One of the things I do to support black health and wellness is build water wells and schools in Africa. Once or twice a year, I head to Africa with a group of friends to help outlying village communities get access to clean drinking water. We raise all the funds and supplies to ensure that no life is lost due to dirty water in that village.
My school, Mills Middle School, helped build a well three years ago. The other thing we do is build schools in different communities where kids have no physical building to go and learn. Last year, we built a school in a town called Keta in Ghana Africa, which is now completely full. FCUSD has also donated books for me to take to schools which the students are still using to this day. We took enough books to supply two schools where every student was able to get their own book to learn. I have done this for the past 22 years.
Here at home, I work with our students in sports and mentoring programs. I believe when students are physically active it leads to a healthy lifestyle, and they will feel better about themselves. Also, having a positive black role model will encourage students of color to remain focused on their goals and help them make healthy decisions in their lives.”
Marque Willis is a counselor and varsity football head coach at Cordova High School. “To support black health and wellness, I support engagement in mental health counseling to my black peers and students. I also encourage them to support nutrition by attending their local farmers markets. As an African American football coach, I always encourage my players to have a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy spirit.
Black health and wellness are essential to cultivating the American dream we all strive for. Health and wellness are essential to overcoming the socioeconomic barriers that have plagued our communities.”
Dr. Iyuanna Pease is FCUSD’s Director of Social Emotional Learning and Equity. “I am excited about this year’s Black History Month theme of Health and Wellness. For me, health means that my body functions as its designed to, free of ailments or disease. Wellness encompasses numerous aspects of life to include my physical, social, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing in various environments. While society continuously seeks to invalidate the importance of Black health and wellbeing, it brings me great joy to see Black people investing in their physical health and overall wellbeing by developing a mindfulness or yoga practice, making healthy food choices, exercising and accessing mental health support when needed. Like the old saying goes, Health is Wealth! Be well my friends. #BlackHistory365”
Read more about Black History Month by clicking on the articles below.
Black Minds Matter by Coshandra Dillard
Mining the jewel of Black History Month by Emily Chiariello