On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Poly Upper School community gathered in Garland Auditorium for the annual Black Student Union assembly. This year’s assembly was centered on the theme “We Are The Culture,” highlighting the contributions of Black students at Poly as well as local Black artists.
This celebration was organized by senior co-presidents Lennon Standridge and Elissa Henry, senior vice president Langston Standridge, sophomore secretary Olivia Dabiri, junior coordinator Rhianna Cohen, and junior treasurer Sofia Daniel.
After opening remarks from BSU leaders, members of the affinity group shared their artwork, writing and performances. Among the presenters were senior Olivia Asper de Tyson, who delivered a rendition of “Lift Me Up” and shared original artwork, and junior Stella Martinez, who shared a video compilation of her dance performances.
The assembly also featured talent from Black artists in Los Angeles. Musicians Candace Lacy and Friends returned to Poly for the second year in a row, singing “Last Time (I See the Sun)” from the film “Sinners” and “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” Dancer Marcus “BoogieBot” Taylor, who recently performed as a backup dancer for Tyler, The Creator at the Grammys, delivered a breakdance number. His performance, which included contortion, elicited a high-spirited response from the audience.
“It was really powerful,” shared junior Lori Hovsepian. “The part when we all got up and started dancing [during Lacey’s performance] felt very uniting.”
Following the assembly, students congregated on McWilliams Courtyard for a feast of soul food including mac and cheese, collared greens, cornbread and fried chicken.
Langston noted, “The entire BSU leadership really wanted the student body to understand how ingrained Black culture is in so many different aspects of everyone’s daily lives – music, dancing, the way people wear their hair and clothing.”
“The assembly was a reminder for everyone that Black history is everyone’s history, and it should be honored,” shared sophomore Celine Chao.
