The 7th Annual Black Excellence Night was a brilliant ode to the magic of Black hair—centuries of history, styles and soul. Black Excellence Night is a student-run event created to celebrate and uplift Black students in our school community through performances and tributes. This year, the keynote speaker was Ms. Tracey Calhoun, an entrepreneur and hair stylist who owns and operates Miracles Hair Care Salon.
“In our industry, there are many who have paved the way,” said Tracey. “The one we’re probably most familiar with is Madame CJ Walker. Thank God for her. And Marjorie Joyner, who revolutionized the hair industry in 1928 with the invention of the permanent wave machine. Throughout her career, she trained more than 15,000 stylists to recognition and success in the industry. Christine Jenkins invented the sewn in hair-weaving: Seeking a way to secure wigs without heat or chemicals, she developed a method that combined commercial and natural hair. Lydia Newman noticed the need for a better hair brush. In 1898, she patented a brush specifically designed for Black women’s hair that lasted longer and with bristles that were evenly spaced for easy cleaning. Before there was an UNbrush, there was Newman’s brush.”
You can listen to Tracy Calhoun’s full speech, along with the other performances and speeches, on the recording here.
A special highlight? A group of Black AFS alumni from as far back as 1975 returned to reconnect with one another, meet with Head of School Nicole Hood, and witness Black Excellence Night for themselves. Nicole remarked on how wonderful it was to see so many alums back for the event, and how easy it seemed that they fit back into being at AFS. During the performances, she was particularly inspired by seeing the students interact on and off the stage.
“Two Middle School students, Nic and Olivia, helped to open the evening,” Nicole explains. “Olivia sang, and Nic was on the piano. It was a big crowd, and they both seemed pretty nervous—but when those kids finished, the entire room was awash with applause. Of course, the best part was when the students walked back to their seats, and Upper Schoolers in the audience just started throwing their arms around them and celebrating them, hugs and praises all around. I was so proud of them all.”
“One highlight for me was performing one last time in my trio of Jada, Jeffery and myself—or as we like to call ourselves, JAJ,” explained Ava Cole ‘25, one of the clerks of Black Student Union. “And I also loved announcing our new clerks, Ella, Amaya and Aleena!”
Esa McCants ’25, who has worked on Black Excellence Night for several years, agreed, sharing that his highlight was the closing remarks. “While it was difficult to accept that it was my last time ever doing it, there’s always a relaxed and sincere aspect to it that I enjoy,” he explained. “This year specifically, with it being the time for Ava, Nevaeh, and myself to pass the torch, this moment meant even more to me. I’m incredibly proud of our new clerks and can’t wait to see them not only carry on the legacy but make it their own!”
