Editor’s Note: Kristan Kenney is an assistant adviser to The New Trier News and one of the Equity Liaisons responsible for designing programming for monthly cultural observances like Black History Month. She was not involved in the reporting, writing, or editing of this article. 

Every February since 1976, Black History Month has been a time to honor Black Americans’ contributions to the nation, history, and culture. Recent changes in federal policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and its implications on identity-based observances have brought renewed meaning to the month for New Trier High School’s students and the community.

On Jan. 21, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which effectively terminated DEI programs within the federal government. That order revoked Executive Order 11246 of Sept. 24, 1965, a long-standing directive that mandated affirmative action for federal contractors. As a result, all federal DEI workers were put on paid leave.

These new DEI initiatives have caused significant changes in how federal agencies deal with identity-based events. On Jan. 31, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a statement titled, “Identity Months Dead at the DoD.” 

“Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote.

That same Friday, Trump issued a proclamation calling for recognizing Black History Month, an annual tradition for U.S. presidents. Still, Trump’s proclamation has no formal effect on the DoD release or how identity-based observances will continue to be celebrated. 

Despite these changes at the federal level, New Trier continues to celebrate observances as it has always done. 

“The biggest thing for us is that everyone feels like they belong,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Chimille Tillery said. “We’re going to continue to make sure that we maintain an environment where everyone can learn and grow.”

Many efforts have been made to honor Black History Month this year. Adviseries are given monthly Tool Kits containing videos, activities, and presentations regarding monthly observances. Students learn about Black History Month through these toolkits as well as the posters and infographics containing quotes from notable African American figures that hang throughout the school.

As part of the school’s equity work, New Trier has taken the initiative to start the Student Belonging Council to promote belonging and acceptance around the school. They made their first announcement over the loudspeaker earlier this month regarding the purpose of Black History Month. 

If you’re looking to learn more from first-hand experiences, the New Trier library does book reading for every monthly observance. This year, it’s Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir, “Lovely One.” The reading will take place on Feb. 28 in the Winnetka campus library.

“It’s something that staff and students attend,” Equity Liaison and social studies teacher Alex Zilka said regarding the book reading. “I think there are a few environments in the school quite like that, where staff and students can sit down and kind of talk as equals, and it’s a really neat experience when students come and you can share takeaways from the different books.”

Even before these changes in federal policy, the New Trier administration has been vocal in its support of monthly observances. They allow those who don’t identify with the celebrated social identity group to learn about a background they may not be familiar with, and for those who do identify with the identity group to feel represented and acknowledged. 

“We talk about the importance of representation and the importance of seeing faces like you, where you can say, ‘OK, this is a place where you know people of my background are being included and supported,’” Zilka said. “It’s all about that effort to promote a sense of belonging amongst students and staff.”