The Martin County School District will hold its inaugural districtwide Black History Month event on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boys and Girls Club of Stuart, adjacent to Stewart Middle School, Dr. Chris Jones, principal of Stewart Middle School, said on episode 3 of the district podcast.

Jones said students from 21 schools, K–12 (including pre‑K), are expected to participate. The program will include musical performances, poetry readings, a living museum and artwork displays; 13 schools will present performances on stage and other schools will host displays around the room. RotC, cheer squads and choirs are among the student groups scheduled to appear.

The event grew from a successful school‑level program at Port Salerno Elementary School. "She and I and the rest of the committee have really, enjoyed putting this together," Jones said of co‑chair Mrs. Gifford, the Port Salerno principal, who helped expand a local event into a districtwide celebration.

Organizers said the Martin County High School Academy gastronomy students, led by Chef Southwick, prepared a tasting menu inspired by recipes studied at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco; food from the school program will be available for sampling and additional items will be offered for sale. The Boys and Girls Club — on East Ocean Boulevard adjacent to Stewart Middle School — will host the event; parking is available at the club’s lot on Martin Luther King Boulevard or in Stewart Middle School’s parking lot with signage directing attendees.

Jones described the event as the first annual and said committee planning began about a year earlier. The district superintendent is scheduled to open the program, a community member will give the closing remarks and local partners (including the Boys and Girls Club and the Martin County High School Academy) will be on site. Jones encouraged families and community members to attend to support student learning and cultural programming.