The students in DSHA's Sisters of Culture co-curricular brought this celebration of Black History Month to life. During the services, students meditated on these themes: solidarity, unity, and hope.

Students read scripture and personal reflections based on each of these three themes. We invite our community to reflect on these passages shared during the service:

• Solidarity: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 19-20; 24-26
• Unity: Philippians 1:27-30, Romans 12:3-8 
• Hope: Romans 15:7-13

Lena Robinson, DSHA '28, shared a reflection on the above passages and coming together as a community during the service: "We should foster unity amidst differences by recognizing all people as image-bearers of God, valuing diversity as a reflection of God’s character, and building a community defined by love, growing together, and overcoming any barriers that might steer us away from our desire for a sense of belonging for everyone. Love is one of the greatest virtues."

"Reading during this service was an honor because not only do I love reading, but I know that God works through me when I do," said Madison Cotton, DSHA '27, who read at the service. 

In addition to these passages, the DSHA community enjoyed performances by praise dancers, the DSHA Gospel Choir, and the Marquette University Gospel Choir.

The event was accented with gold and white motifs. Josey Afamefuna, DSHA '26, explained: "Gold represents God’s presence, glory, dignity, and excellence, while white symbolizes peace, healing, hope, and new beginnings — reminders of the spirit and intention in which we gather today."

As the service concluded, Naviyah Yarbrough, DSHA '26, read this prayer:
 
God, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the journey we have shared today. We thank You for the ancestors who dreamed us into being the pioneers, the poets, the laborers, and the leaders whose resilience is the ground upon which we stand.

As we leave this space, let us not leave behind the lessons we have honored. Grant us the strength to carry the torch of justice, the wisdom to learn from our past, and the audacity to hope for a future defined by equity and peace. 

May we be moved by the spirit of those who marched so that we could run. Bless our communities with healing, our youth with vision, and our elders with rest. Let the songs of our history continue to resonate in our daily lives, reminding us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." 

Go before us as a guide, stand beside us as a friend, and remain behind us as a protector. May we walk out these doors not just as hearers of the word, but as doers of the work.
 
Amen.