In 2021, local nonprofit Swampscott Unites, Respects Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity held its first Black History Month celebration. The event, which took place on Zoom, was instantly a hit.
After multiple cancellations due to weather, the 2026 rendition of the celebration was held on Tuesday at Swampscott High School. The event featured live music and a panel discussion where students of color had a chance to share their experiences at Swampscott High School.
“S.U.R.E. Diversity is a volunteer community group that aspires to encourage, educate and collaborate in building a welcoming, nurturing, respectful and inclusive Swampscott community,” reads the organization’s website.
A display showcased student artwork that honored Black icons in sports, music and pop culture. Guests wrote quotes and messages meaningful to them on a large paper banner.
“The most important thing is we want to put in everyone’s head that Black history is American history,” said S.U.R.E. Diversity Chair Keli Khatib. “It’s not a separate history. We are all American and we want to reiterate those facts.”
Khatib said that over time, the event has grown to be more collaborative with the school district.
“This year we did a lot more planning with the students and the schools, and that is the key,” said Khatib.
The school’s lobby served as the venue for the event, as guests floated around from table to table examining displays and meeting and greeting one another.
“I just want everybody to have a good time and maybe we’ll all learn something,” said Khatib.
After guests settled in, everyone filed into the school’s auditorium. A video showed Swampscott students working on a wall mural painting featuring a Martin Luther King Jr. quote.
S.U.R.E. Diversity Member Ralph Edwards then took to the stage along with five Swampscott High School students of color.
Edwards asked the students to introduce themselves and share their own personal experience and perspective of what it is like at the school as a person of color.
Student Janerys Jaquez said she has experienced more racism within the walls of the school this year than in previous years. She said it’s hard to address racism at the school because other students may doubt its taking place.
“We are making changes in the school…but I think we need to make a faster and better change and really understand what kids are going through,” Jaquez said.
The word inclusive was used by other students on the panel to describe the school environment.
The program ended with a game of jeopardy designed by Swampscott High School students to educate the crowd on Black history.
