Black Lives Matter at School Year of Purpose: Student Activism

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We're showcasing student activism to underscore the long-reaching effects of racial equity activism. Whatever form of advocacy people engage in, working toward social justice results in positive impacts for individuals and their neighborhoods. Activism helps build connections among people and to their communities. It empowers people to create vibrant, thriving places to live.

BLM illustration and Week of Action slogan

Black Lives Matter Student Activist Awards

Schools also are integral to communities and forging healthy connections among students, families and organizations is crucial for healthy neighborhoods. When people feel connected to their community, they tend to be happier and more resilient. This is why Jesse Hagopian, a Garfield High School teacher and a founder of Black Education Matters Student Activist Award (BEMSSA), introduced the 2021 awardees by underscoring a common theme in the students’ activism:

“You knew and recognized and understood that school could not be dislocated from community, and so you really brought community into the school, and you brought the school into the community.”

The BEMSSA awards include a $1,000 stipend and are given to students who demonstrate “exceptional leadership in struggles for social, and against racism—especially with an understanding f the intersections with sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamaphobia, ableism, class exploitation and other forms of oppression—within their school or community.”

And now, a brief introduction to each of last year’s recipients:

KyRi Miller – Garfield High School, Class of 2021

Young Black student in front of a painted mural

(Photo by LaCretiah Claytor)

KyRi Miller earned his award based on his organization and leadership of a Black Lives Matter at School assembly and mural on the walls of Garfield’s second-floor balcony. The mural illustrates Black history, the achievements as well as the injustices. For him, activism stems from being Black. His goal is to live his excellence and to defy Black stereotypes, particularly in an acting and directing career.

This fall, KyRi Miller started college at the historically Black Dillard University in New Orleans. You can find out more about this student activist by clicking the links below.

Aneesa Roidad – Ballard High School, Class of 2020

Young woman dressed in teal with shoulder-length straight black hair

(Photo by Lena Roidad)

Roidad moved to Seattle from Pennsylvania in her sophomore year. Her heritage as a Pakistani American sparked her interest in showing solidarity with people who do not have equal access to opportunities. She was particularly interested in changing the curriculum and culture in her school. Her leadership role in forming the Washington NAACP Youth Council reflects the determination to foment educational justice.

After a gap year to continue working with NAACP Youth Council, Aneesa Roidad began at Harvard University this fall. Read more about her activism by clicking the links below.

Mia Dabney – Cleveland STEM High School Student

Young Black woman with shoulder-length wavy dark brown hair

(Photo by Mia Dabney)

Mia Dabney helped create Seattle Public Schools Board Policy 1250 that passed in spring 2021 and mandates that three, five or seven students will sit on the school board each year. The goal is to better represent the diversity of the district. Her activism stems from her experience being a young Black woman in Seattle and the world. Her parents imbued the core values of education and love that Dabney uses to embrace her inner strength, even when she is afraid people won’t listen or necessarily understand what she is trying to accomplish.

Mia Dabney started her senior year at Cleveland High School this year. She plans to pursue a career in medicine. Find out more about her activism by clicking on the links below.

Invitation
Please share your family’s and/or child’s experience with activism. Are you engaged with a local organization or want to share resources? We’ll gather responses and share them with our school community. Please indicate if it’s okay to follow up with you if we have any questions.
equity@sacpta.org

More about the student activists highlighted in this newsletter (9.6 minutes): KyRi Miller, Aneesa Roidad, & Mia Dabney Win 6th Annual BEMSAA Awards | South Seattle Emerald

More about the Miller, Roidad and Dabny (7.5 minutes): Exceptional leaders for social change: Black educators group honors Seattle student activists | The Seattle Times

Dig deeper with these resources:
NEA BLM at School Resources

Black Education Matters outlines how and why the student activist awards were created. And includes list of winners from past years.