Bloom High School Celebrates Culture At Black History Jamboree

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — The Black History Jamboree was a powerful celebration of culture, history, and community pride, and Bloom High School played a major role in making the February 1 event a success. Their students and staff brought an incredible energy to the event, showcasing their dedication to education, service, and cultural appreciation.

Bloom High School’s presence was felt throughout the day as student volunteers helped ensure a smooth and engaging experience for attendees. Their enthusiasm and leadership demonstrated a deep commitment to community service and made a meaningful impact. In addition, the Bloom High School Family Outreach Committee Members Division Coordinator Diane Oliver, Monica Shoemake, Golden Perkins and Zorriante Brown set up an impressive table and photo station in the main hallway, creating a vibrant space for attendees to reflect, connect, and celebrate Black history. Their display added an extra layer of engagement to the event, making it both educational and memorable.

Chicago Heights 7th Ward Alderman Kelli Merrick organized Roots of Resilience: Celebrating African American Agriculture & Cuisine, a station that highlighted the deep agricultural roots of Black history. This interactive exhibit featured fresh produce, seed packs, recipe cards, and informational banners and signage to educate attendees on the historical significance of crops like okra, sweet potatoes, and collard greens—staples of African American cuisine that have sustained generations. Visitors were encouraged to take home seed packs, reinforcing the importance of sustainability and food cultivation.

Merrick also showcased the 7th Ward Wings of Wonder, an initiative that raises awareness about the critical role of pollinators, particularly the monarch butterfly, in agriculture. The monarch has long been a vital pollinator, playing a key role in the growth of crops like watermelon, sweet potatoes, and other staples of African American agriculture. Just as the monarch connects ecosystems through its migration, these crops connect us to our shared history, culture, and resilience.

"Bloom High School’s students and staff truly made their presence felt at the Jamboree. Their students brought energy and dedication, and their table and photo station added so much to the event’s atmosphere," said Merrick. "This event was about coming together as a community to celebrate our history, and Bloom High School played a huge part in making that possible. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to education and engagement."

Merrick also extended her thanks to Park Commissioner Maggie Guzman, Union Street Gallery Secretary & Marian Catholic Fine Arts Chair Theresa Hammons, Union Street Gallery President and Bloom High School Visual Arts Instructor Danielle Leveston, and the Alpha Leo Club of South Cook for their dedication and support in making the Black History Jamboree a success.

Events like this highlight the power of unity, education, and shared history. With continued community engagement, leaders like Alderman Merrick and Division Coordinator Diane Oliver with the dedicated students of Bloom High School ensure that history is not only honored but also carried forward for future generations.

This is a submitted press release.