Gallery walk honors service, sacrifice of Black History Month
Black History Month, first celebrated as just a week-long event in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, honors the achievements and central roles of African Americans in US history. Since 1976, February has been officially proclaimed as National Black History Month, specifically to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12), and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). Oshkosh West’s Black Student Union (BSU), utilized this time in February to organize a Black History Gallery Walk for the community.
West senior and vice president of BSU Kymani Stephen helped found BSU as he felt Black students should have an environment to feel safe and connected with others.
“My freshman year we came up with the idea that we should create a space for black students and we struggled to get it set up at first,” he said. “I became more passionate about it as I learned more about Black history and the struggles that Black students face in school; that’s why I ran for vice president, to ensure that this group stays afloat.”
Stephen, along with the rest of the club, hope to continue growing BSU as well as their various events throughout the year to continue spreading their message to the school and community.
“Our mission statement in the Black Student Union is to cultivate excellence and cultural awareness for our Black students and also educate the school community on issues that Black students face while also bringing awareness about African American culture overall,” he said. “The gallery was just one of a few ideas that we came up with last year which was our first gallery walk, and then this year we partnered with the ‘Read More Campaign’ and try to do more, building off every year as much as possible to create a powerful impact to the best of our abilities.”
Senior president of BSU, Micah Troedel, feels it’s important to educate the community about the significant figures of Black and American history especially during the month of February.
“I think in Black History Month it’s very important to celebrate legacy. And also to be able to have our community look at figures from the past and things that have been done and see that this is what young people are capable of doing,” he said.
The Gallery, organized by students in BSU, started with a program and then allowed visitors to view the student-created displays honoring different figures and events in Black history. BSU advisor Mariah Meddaugh recognizes all of the hard work that the students put into the gallery and similar events throughout the year.
“A lot of students helped with this event; the students collaborated together and had biweekly meetings to discuss the gallery,” she said. “The students researched all the individuals and events that we added to the gallery.”
Stephen led the program at the beginning of the event, including a memorial call and response for some of the Black individuals who lost their lives, as well as creating a new award given to a community member from the BSU.
“I created one of the stations in the gallery, the community excellence and impact award, and the memorial call and response,” Stephen said.
During the program, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sam Coleman shared his new project called the “Read More Program.” This initiative promotes reading and writing about Black history, Black figures, and current events.
“The ‘Read More Campaign’ was something that I have taken on as a passion project; we launched in January.” he said. “What I really want to do is integrate the power of reading and literacy, talk about Black history, leadership development, and social justice. The campaign is about promoting love, joy, and appreciation for reading.”
Coleman feels the gallery walk is a great opportunity for people to not only learn about important history but to connect with one another.
“I hope that visitors learn from what we have set up; this is American history, not just black history. Regardless of our identities and our backgrounds, we are all connected,” he said. “I believe talking about history and Black people’s role in history should be a unifying conversation and not one that divides or separates people. I hope people leave today feeling more connected and unified.”
Meddaugh believes the gallery walk is a great way for other students and community members to learn about historical figures and events that they may not have known about.
“To educate the school and Oshkosh community on the importance of Black history, and to celebrate all of the figures that contributed to society that some people aren’t aware of.”
Meddaugh believes there’s no harm in educating those who aren’t as aware as others.
“I think it’s important because some people just aren’t aware, they just don’t know, so we are just trying to educate people in peaceful and comfortable ways,” she said.
Stephen hopes other students at West will start recognizing Black history more.
“I hope visitors gain knowledge on Black history overall and a community environment; I hope other students recognize Black history month and the diversity in their school,” he said.
Troedel feels visitors can learn from their experiences at the gallery walk and continue growing in the footsteps of historical figures.
“I hope visitors gain insight on what they can do going forward from these historical figures. We are looking at the legacy of significant figures in Black history,” he said. “They all did something significant, so how can we follow them and continue that progress?"
Junior BSU member Aliyah Thomas feels the gallery is not only to show history but also to recognize Black students at West and what they’re capable of.
“It’s not just to remember the sad parts of history, but also to remember that students in our school are still Black, and they have voices to be heard and shared,” she said.
For Thomas, BSU gave her a space to be herself.
“For me personally it makes me feel more included and more connected to everybody.”
BSU serves as a safe space for all its members, and Troedel loves the opportunities BSU has given him and his peers.
“I can’t put it into words,” he said. “I think the group is very liberating and very empowering to be able to give us a platform, on an emotional level it fills me up with joy to see my peers come together.”
Coleman believes that people are stronger together than apart. He hopes students and community members will bring the direction and information from the gallery walk and similar events to other experiences.
“I hope that all young people across racial identities, across lived experiences, across differences and similarities, find their collective power, and understand the role they play in shaping the world that we currently live in and what the future will be,” he said. “The gallery and program, put on by young people for young people is a great example of youth leadership and action.”
by Tenna Ruetten
Published March 2, 2026
Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue V