February is Black History Month — a time to reflect, celebrate and recognize the impact of Black leaders, artists and trailblazers. One school is doing that through music, dance and storytelling bringing history to life for students.
Students at Westerville North put on a Black History Month show every year, calling this year’s performance “Roots and Rhythms”
“Our idea was home is where the heart is and that when you know your roots, you know, the culture you came from and can have pride in that culture, that’s where your home will be and also rhythms as well because we like to dance we like to sing,” said Isaac Cofie, a senior at Westerville North High School.
Cofie is one of the senior leaders of the show. He says it’s all about showcasing culture through dancing and singing.
“To inspire people that don’t know there’s a community for them to come and join us, have everybody have a place for them to relate to somebody,” Cofie said.
Cofie said their show consists of the Black national anthem, dancing, acting and even a fashion show. He thinks it’s important for schools to honor Black history month.
“It’s important for everybody to know there’s a place for them, I think often people come into high school not knowing if there’s people like them with the same experiences and same problems, same community as them, to see a united community, to see a united front is a great thing,” Cofie said.
Students said they practice for months.
“To feel connected to something and to feel a sense of pride in a month that’s so powerful,” said Aya Sofia Alsaadoon, a junior at Westerville North High School.
And they hope to make the community proud.
“I mean we’ve been working so long on this show, and I hope they really feel that in everything we do,” Alsadoon said.
For anyone wanting to see their show, they’re performing for the public Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Westerville North High School auditorium.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story stated the wrong date for the show. This has been corrected. (Feb. 11, 2026)
