On February 19, we had the privilege of hearing from Gilmour parent Edwin Vason, father of EJ Vason ’29, who addressed our students in honor of Black History Month. His message centered on truth, community and the responsibility we share in shaping a culture where every person is seen and valued. He began by reminding students that “Black History Month is more than a page in a textbook or a poster in the hallway; it’s a celebration of strength, brilliance, culture, resilience and, most importantly, community.” He continued by emphasizing that at Gilmour, “We are called to recognize the dignity and story of every person. Our differences are not side notes. They are gifts that strengthen our community.”

Grounded in our mission, he shared, “At Gilmour, we believe in forming young people with the competence to see and the courage to act to create a more humane and just society. Celebrating Black history is part of that call. When we honor truth, we build hope. When we face history honestly, we grow stronger together.” Referencing publicly reported data, he noted that while a majority of Gilmour students share similar backgrounds, nearly one-third represent a wide range of identities and lived experiences, reminding students that “This diversity isn’t just a statistic; it’s living, breathing culture right beside you every day.” Quoting James Baldwin, he added, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

He also spoke directly about the culture that defines our community, stating, “What makes this school great isn’t just the academics or the athletics or the campus; it’s the culture. It’s the way students show up for each other across racial, cultural and personal differences.” He reminded students that “Showing up is what community looks like. Accountability is an act of love.” He made clear that “Black history is not just for Black students, it’s for everyone. Black history is American history. Black excellence is American excellence.”

He concluded by challenging students to act: “See someone you normally overlook, learn a piece of history you weren’t taught, and make Gilmour better because you chose to show up differently.” We are grateful for the honesty, care and conviction with which this message was shared and for the continued partnership of our families as we work together to build a community rooted in dignity, belonging and hope.