TOWAMENCIN- North Penn High School’s African American Awareness Club (AAAC) held its annual Colors of Pride event. The evening featured an array of talent from AAAC members. With powerful poems, eloquent dances, and film segments, the event truly encompassed African-American culture and unity.

This year, AAAC wanted to take their annual celebration in a new direction. The group decided to take a stance on contemporary issues pertinent to our nation. Colors of Pride topics included Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the pledge, historically black colleges and universities, and beauty.

Colors of Pride is a necessary outlet for AAAC members to voice their views and opinions.

“Colors of Pride allows us to express ourselves and gives us a platform to tell our perspectives. No matter how many people do or don’t agree and no matter what the topic of the assembly is, we are able to teach people what they didn’t know before” commented junior Jurni Jackson, a member of the executive (E) board.

Two assemblies were held during the school day and in the evening. The event had massive success across the board, especially among students.

“We got over 1,000 students to opt-in. I felt like mostly everyone there was open to the message,” remarked senior and member of the E board Jamie Solomon.

The powerful messages from the event had an impact on students, teachers, staff, and all in attendance.

“My favorite part is hearing the conversations that kids and teachers are having once they are leaving. I love hearing people say that they loved it and that they learned something new they didn’t previously know. But the best is when they say they can relate to it and they’re glad that certain topic was brought up” reflected Jackson.

Due to the controversial nature of the issues discussed, being able to put on the show for students during the school day was an uphill battle filled with additional challenges.

“It was challenging to get what we wanted to say or do approved. It was so important for this years Colors of Pride assembly to be about educating and opening people’s minds that we couldn’t just let it go,” commented Solomon.

However, sensitive topics need to be conversed about freely to gain greater understanding and perspective of all viewpoints on issues that deeply affect members of our nation.

“It’s really important to me that we share our perspectives. When topics that we discussed today come up in class, most people shy away from them because they are very sensitive. In my classes when the topics of kneeling during the national anthem and police brutality have come up, I have had other classmates look at me and make a decision to not say anything because they didn’t want to offend me. Or I’ve heard people talk about certain issues while not truly knowing some or any of the facts. And in these discussions I learn too. It’s important that we share our opinions and discuss to learn from each other. I really believe that no matter how much I don’t align with someone else’s opinion on a topic that we discussed in the assembly or even if I totally do it’s important we all listen and learn from one another because it helps us all,” remarked Jackson.

The dedication, determination, and hard work of the AAAC members alongside support from administration and faculty allowed the club to put together a powerful and impactful show exemplifying the life and viewpoint of an African-American students at North Penn.

“The message is what was significant to me. Not that many people at North Penn understand what the black people at North Penn have to go through. So being able to have a platform to explain the message of Black Lives Matter, police brutality, the pledge, HBCUs, cultural appropriation, black beauty, and education was by far the most significant part for me,” added Solomon.

Plans for next year’s Colors of Pride celebration are not solidified yet, but it is something to look forward to.

“I’m not sure what I exactly want to see in next year’s assembly but I’m really excited. I really love this club,” mentioned returning E board member, Jackson.