The history of Central High School is lived through the actions and stories of people like those featured below.
We honor these stories in many ways such as through the Alumni Hall of Fame and our spotlight series highlighting students, faculty and alumni.
We hope these reflections spark meaningful conversations and remind us all of the power of representation.
As Assistant Principal and alumnus Walter Myrick (251) reminds us, Black history is not confined to the past. “Black History Month is a celebration,” he shares. He describes Black history as “a living document—one that continues to grow,” shaped by trailblazers from Central who have helped define that legacy and will continue to do so.
For current junior Lori K. (286), Black History Month is both a moment of reflection and a call to action. She notes that while we benefit from our ancestors’ sacrifices, “the work is not finished.” As a Black student at Central, Lori finds pride and belonging through the African American Student Union, which she describes as a space where she feels supported and celebrated. That sense of community, she says, has given her the confidence and foundation to succeed “far beyond Central’s walls.”
For Alumna and AACHS Vice President, Karima Bouchenafa (249), Black History month and her time at Central are forever connected. In 1989 she won a coveted spot as one of ten national finalists in the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Tomorrow contest. She began her essay with “The cycle of Black History does not end with my generation. It is ours to perpetuate.”
Karima reflected on this historical moment in her life saying “
My words hold true for me today, especially as we are witnessing the deliberate attempt to erase some of the most painful yet transformative parts of Black History from national memory. However, I am not afraid of such attempts, as I know that, collectively, we will never let American history die and we will never forget those who sacrificed and contributed so much in the course of this nation’s growth and development.
I’m grateful to say that, in my own small way, I have lived up to the honor McDonald’s bestowed upon me back in 1989. On September 28, 2025, thirty-six women and I chartered a new graduate chapter of our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and I was elected the chartering–or first–president of this new chapter. I am grateful to be part of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s illustrious history in this way. In my work as Director of the Swarthmore College Black Cultural Center, I try my best to center and celebrate Black History and culture every day–and I invite you to do the same”
Ms. Bouchenafa, Mr. Myrick, and Lori carry forward the living legacy of Black History in their everyday life. On the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we continue to recognize the opportunities that Central provides to fuel student programs, resources for educators, and student-led initiatives that uplift and sustain Black excellence for generations to come.
