Julia sought out to increase student awareness and interest in Black History for her Take Action Project, after hearing of legislative changes reshaping social studies and diversity-related topics are taught in schools, along with noticing Black Americans in her community unaware of their culture, lineage and history.

“The basic level of education on African American history is very limited and sanitized, allowing misconceptions about African Americans and continued ignorance to persist,” Julia shares in her presentation.

Julia’s project centered around establishing a “Soulaan” Spirit Week for Licking Heights High School’s student body. The term “Soulaan” refers to descendants of Africans enslaved in the United States, short for “Soul American,” highlighting the distinct cultural and hereditary contributions of native Black Americans. 

For Julia’s Soulaan Spirit Week, students were invited to participate in daily themes celebrating Soulaan culture and Black history, along with attending student-led presentations and activities. 

Monday, dubbed “Black Out!” students were encouraged to dress in all-black clothing to celebrate Black History Month. On Tuesday, students sported their HBCU apparel, and Wednesday students could dress up as their favorite Black Actor. On “Throwback Thursday,” students took the hallways in black cultural attire and trends from a decade of choice, and Friday encouraged students to wear their African-American heritage or Pan-African flag. 

Alongside organizing and marketing the spirit week themes, Julia also created an online trivia game for students to play, as well as a physical objects and presentation slideshow to share.

Throughout the week, Julia observed the lack of prior knowledge on African American history and culture and pointed out the importance of emphasizing Black History to prevent negative stereotypes and erasure when reflecting on her project.

In a post-Soulaan Week survey sent to the student body after the conclusion of her project, 79.7% of 118 respondents supported Soulaan Week becoming an annual tradition and part of Black History Month celebrations. 

Julia’s younger sister plans to continue leadership and planning for weeks after Julia graduates and continue growing participation and knowledge among students. 

After graduating this Spring, Julia will study international relations and political science at Virginia State University.