CHS Students Celebrate Black History Month

In the 20 years that Louis Diggs has been researching and documenting black history in Catonsville and the region, he hasn’t come across someone to follow in his foot steps.

“It needs to be continued,” he said to a group of students after school Wednesday at Catonsville High School. “I have only scratched the surface.”

While they are not historians, the students listening to Diggs are carrying on the tradition in different ways. As apart of the Black Awareness Club, they have been organizing Black History month events during February.

The club, which has been at the school for at least 20 years, has roughly 30 members.

So far this month, students have set up a display in main entrance to the school. They have also shared historic facts on the morning announcements and created some trivia games to play in class. The group has also organized a day called "Dress for Success," where students dress up to promote professional attire among teens.

Seniors Shannon Class and Briana Hamiel said the events have been successful.
“More people are talking about it,” Shannon said.

Wednesday’s event was a chance for the students to learn more about local history from Diggs, a Catonsville resident who has authored nine books on history. Diggs knew the relatives of several students in the room who are from families that have lived in Catonsville for generations.

Briana said that there was a lot in the presentation she did not know and made her think about how the history they learned can connect to what they’re doing with the club.

“I have a history,” Shannon said. “There’s always a way you can contribute to the history by doing something now.”

Diggs agreed.

“Our youth need to know the history of our life here in Baltimore County,” he responded.