Year after year, North Penn students await the Colors of Pride event, but this year AAAC has decided to take a different approach to the same continued activism.

North Penn’s African American Allies Club, AAAC, is holding their annual Black History showcase on February 15th, 2024. The showcase will feature student artwork, skits, cultural dances, and a video concerning affirmative action. 

“We have an art contest right now where we’re asking anyone who’s interested in art if they’re willing to contribute any means of art of any medium to the showcase,” AAAC president, Yordonos Lemma, explained. “We’re asking students to stick to the theme of ‘To whom it may concern.”

AAAC has carefully handcrafted this theme to demonstrate how racism affects a society, not just an individual.

“Our theme this year discusses how racism is not an isolated situation, rather it’s a system that is perpetuated by actions and policies,” Lemma shared.

The art contest is one piece of this big picture. The art will be displayed for students to view throughout the week of the showcase.

“The art will be displayed in the concourse and on the night of the showcase there will be a slideshow with every piece,” Lemma said. “The top three artists will be awarded a gift card of their choice and all other pieces will be displayed.”

The Black History Showcase was formally known by the name “Colors of Pride”, a student-loved assembly and event for many years.

“The Black History Showcase is an annual event. It was formerly known as the Colors of Pride, which I feel most people know it as. This year we’re calling it the Black History Showcase and will continue for the years following. We have a theme every year. Last year focused on the black diaspora and black cultures across the world,” Lemma explained. “This year it’s ‘To whom it may concern’ which is more of a touchy subject.”

Although the event will still have many fun aspects to it, this year’s theme has taken a serious turn to highlight the challenges racism brings to today’s society.

“The main reason why we came up with this theme is that we wanted something a little more touchy, not necessarily controversial, but something that would grab people’s attention. We want to touch in more serious topics like affirmative action, colorism, and racism as a system rather than individual. I feel like in prior years we touched on racism on an individual aspect, rather than a system, so this year we are going to be encouraging people to talk about those topics,” Lemma said.

On February 15th during the school day, students will have the opportunity to see the event during an in-school assembly. For students who cannot attend the assembly or other members of the North Penn school district, there will be an evening show. The event is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. 

For more information on the event, you can contact the head advisor, Mr. Brandon Mostert @[email protected], or follow the AAAC Instagram @npaac.