Videos

00:47 Black History Month Celebration

On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Revere Public Schools hosted a special Black History Month event with local artist Ifé Franklin at Revere High School’s Learning Common and celebrated this year’s Black History Month theme, African Americans and the Arts. 

During the event, Ifé showed her powerful film, The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae, a fictional account of Willie Mae Lenox’s escape from slavery to freedom. The work was adapted into a short film in 2021.

The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae is the story of Willie Mae Lenox, a 20-year-old black woman enslaved in Virginia in the mid 1800’s, who sets upon her journey to freedom, assisted by family, abolitionists, African traditions, love, courage, and determination.

The short film invites audiences into Willie Mae’s environment, creating connection and intimacy for those who lived their lives in chattel slavery. This story represents the transformation of the enslaved into freedom seekers on the path to liberation.

Following the film, Ifé, Dr. Garcia, and Revere High School students Kodjo Francoise and Alexandra Gracias discussed the film, its impacts, and the struggles that continue today for the BIPOC communities across the country.

Ifé closed out the event by inviting attendees to participate in a ring-shout dance. The Ring Shout was practiced by slaves as a religious activity, with Christianity augmenting the African elements. Participants moved in a circle, providing rhythm by clapping their hands and patting their feet. One individual would set the tempo by singing, and his lines would be answered in call-and-response fashion. In some cases, another individual rhythmically beats the (usually wooden) floor with a broomstick or other piece of wood.