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"Club Noire"
Kiyana Harris
Whintey High School, Class of 2003
Stanford University, Class of 2007
"Wednesday, Africa Day: wear Lion King apparel, afros, braids, and
face paint for spirit points," the poster read in the hallway of my school.
Looking up at the poster stereotyping African clothing as "Lion King" apparel, I
knew something had to be done about the misconceptions of Black-American culture
at Whitney High School. Named the number one academic school in California
and a representative of a supposedly diverse student body, Whitney's myriad of
special interest, community service, and cultural clubs offered nothing to the
recognition of African-American culture.
During club registration time in 2000, my friends and I decided to take a
risk. Fueled by Whitney students' common misinterpretations of the Black
American culture, we ventured to add a new and unknown name to the club list.
Naming the group Club Noire ("black" in French), we planned to unify the few
Black students at Whitney and to invite others to share in the explorations of a
culture we were in the process of learning ourselves. However, would students
join a club that represented a culture other than their own? We were the only
ethnic club representing a culture outside of the Asian continent. "Club
Registration Day" consisted of students asking whether Club Noire would teach them
how to dance or give out free soul food. Nevertheless, the eagerness of
Whitney students to clarify their views of African-American culture was evident in
the eighty-four names on the club roster at the end of the day.
During our first year of operation, we managed to successfully hold
meetings and maintain a steadily growing membership. I was voted one of the two
co-presidents. We promoted Black History Month by putting up posters during
February, and officially getting "Whitney celebrates Black History" displayed on
the school marquee for the first time in the school's twenty-three year
history. We got people interested in Black Greek sororities and fraternities and
organized a club field trip to a Step Show at a local college. We researched
cultural dance and performed for International Day, presenting a collaboration of
African, Cuban, Jamaican, and Hip-Hop dance. The next year, as a result of
all the hard work and effort I had put into founding, organizing, and leading
the club, I was elected the sole president. I helped the club grow in
membership and hold fundraisers to develop a treasury to go towards future food sales,
club T-shirts, and International Day outfits. For Black History Month, we
organized a list of little-known Black History facts to be read during the
morning announcements for every school day in February. We also performed a
tribute, which I choreographed, to important Black entertainers who passed away
during the height of their careers.
I am glad that I put so much effort into Club Noire because it has been
very rewarding. It has taught me not to be afraid to take action to make a
positive change. I'm so pleased with the interest of the students at our school to
become involved with our club. I've also become a better leader; this year I
was again elected president. Most importantly, Club Noire gave me a chance to
express myself and educate my school. Maya Angelou said, "If you don't like
something, change it." I hope I have contributed an appreciation that will
remain a part of Whitney's legacy for a long time.
About Kiyana
Kiyana was captain of the Varsity Softball Team and co-founder and president of the
African American Culture Club (Club Noire) at her school. She was also involved in
dance, marching band, and was co-editor of her class newsletter. She is a National
Achievement Finalist and is part of the National Honor Society.
· Click here to go back to the list of Fall Contest winners
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