By Thea Jarvis

The fourth annual Black Experience Day held at St. Anthony’s School in Atlanta’s West End Feb. 12 featured guest speakers, an African marketplace, ethnic cooking demonstrations and students arrayed in the colorful garb of native Africans.

Children were told they had two choices of dress, principal Nanci Pearson told visitor, “African attire or a school uniform, no in-between.” It was, she said, a chance for St. Anthony’s students to dress in a way that uniquely expressed their cultural roots.

The result – students of all ages with head adorned by kufi and gele, dashiki and kente stoles replacing school blouses and shirts – was a rich mix of color and texture that blended with workshops to give the day a lively flavor.

In the school library, St. Anthony’s parent and Liberian native Jocelyn Almond stirred up “Jealous Rice,” a fragrant blend of meat and vegetable served on festive occasions much as Americans feast on turkey and dressing.

In a downstairs hall, Kenya-born Margaret Andega displayed African jewelry, clothing and leather goods as children counted their pennies to see what they might buy.

In an upstairs classroom, artist Charles Coad shared a sampling of his painting and sculpture, encouraging students to tap into their own talents and release the energy within.

Black professionals introduced youngsters to career possibilities in ecology, law, journalism, banking and fashion design. Small groups considered the impact of AIDS and importance of job skills. An afternoon panel brought together judicial and law enforcement personnel, who presented the consequences of criminal behavior.

St. Anthony’s School, as well as the parlor area of the parish convent, was turned over to the nurturing of black heritage and history. The public library nearby pitched in with special readings of African-American folk tales.

Second-grade teacher Nancy Hanfman and first-grade teacher Nikki Madias helped primary grade children fashion African masks from styrofoam plates, feathers, construction paper and decorative beads.

“(The children) look forward to it,” Mrs. Hanfman said of the day, which is held in conjunction with Black History Month. Mrs. Madias said that the event enhances the social studies curriculum children follow in class.

Activities were conducted in the context of “family groupings,” the women explained, in which older, younger and intermediate grades are intermixed to foster a feeling of community.

Family grouping encourages older students to offer help to younger children, they agreed.

Workshops in mask-making and other hands-on events help children absorb their culture, according to Ms. Pearson. The presence of career professionals means students are “stimulated and challenged by the success of black role models.”

In her first year as principal of St. Anthony’s, Ms. Pearson has found parent participation to be a constant support for her and the rest of the staff.

“Our parents are so willing to be part of the school,” she said, including the formidable planning that goes into Black Experience Day.

“It’s a short-term experience for long-term goals,” said Quinnette Igherighe, the school’s administrative manager who was responsible for inviting guest speakers and workshop presenters. For her, the day is always a matter of blending “academics with life skills.”