Content and character

Black History Month isn’t just about history, Miracle Ben’Israel was pleased to hear.

"It was interesting to learn that Halle Berry was actually included in black history," said the 10-year-old student in the Christian Street YMCA’s afterschool program.

Many other important figures have been part of the center’s lessons this month.

"I learned about Harriet Tubman and that the Underground Railroad really wasn’t a railroad and really wasn’t underground," said 8-year-old Raymond Fitzgerald.

Many of the students, ages 6 to 12, already knew a lot about Martin Luther King Jr., but they were asked to think about how the civil-rights leader affected their lives.

"I learned not to fight because Martin Luther King didn’t fight," offered 8-year-old Jeakwon Johnson.

When asked whom they admire, though, some students named people who weren’t famous, such as family members and teachers.

"I look up to my first-grade teacher, Ms. M, because she helps us all learn," said Jah’mir Green, 8.

The YMCA that the children attend is a lesson in black history in itself. The building at 1724 Christian St. was the first black Y in the nation, and continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community.

The students have been busy all month researching historical figures and designing artwork to decorate the center’s hallways and classrooms in preparation for a Black History Month celebration on Saturday.

The free event, hosted by The Beat 103.9, will be held at the YMCA from 4-7 p.m., and will feature artistic performances.

The Official Storyteller of Philadelphia, Linda Goss, will entertain the crowd with inspiring African-American stories while Warmdaddy’s Ron Way will perfect his rhymes. Other performers will include gospel soloist Sharonda Sims and the dance group Images of Christ.

More than 100 toddlers in the Y’s Early Head Start Program will join in the singing, dancing and rhyming.

"Our goal is to introduce the South Philadelphia community to African forms of entertainment while also making the community aware of the program," said Salima Jones, parent-involvement coordinator of the Early Head Start Program.

Other local events also will honor Black History Month:

* The Men’s Ministry of Greater Saint Matthew Baptist Church will sponsor the Black History Month Historical Expressions Celebration on Feb. 29, 4-7 p.m. The free event, held at the church at 2319 Fitzwater St., will feature narratives of African-American inventors and other performances.

* Community activist Maurice Henderson will promote character education for Black History Month through presentations. In collaboration with various black artists, he will visit McDaniel Elementary School, 22nd and Moore streets, on Feb. 25, and Vare Recreation Center, 27th and Mifflin streets, on Feb. 28.

* Vare Charter Middle School, 24th Street and Snyder Avenue, will host an African-American heritage celebration. "The Color of Peace and Friendship" will be held Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and will include everything from African steppers to poetic recitations.