Ingomar students, kids from North Side school celebrate Black history with poetry slam, art activities

Natalie Beneviat | Friday, March 14, 2025 10:15 a.m.

Courtesy of North Allegheny School District

Students from North Allegheny’s Ingomar Middle School and Manchester Academic Charter School in Pittsburgh’s North Side participate in a Black history event March 6 along with 25 NA ambassadors.

Black history was celebrated in the North Allegheny School District with a full day of activities March 6 at Ingomar Middle School.

About 25 students from Manchester Academic Charter School in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood and 25 NA ambassadors visited the middle school to enjoy variety of activities, including art, poetry and making Black history-themed T-shirts and bracelets.

The day culminated with a Black History Poetry Slam, showcasing performances from staff, students, community poets and talented local spoken-word artist Mike Smalls of Pittsburgh.

Poetry by famous authors, such as Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou, and some original works by students were read aloud.

The event was held under the leadership of Margo Hinton, a health and physical education teacher at Ingomar, and the NA Student Ambassador Program.

“Ingomar Middle School and Manchester Academic Charter School came together in a spirit of collaboration, community and connection,” Hinton said. “Throughout the process, they laughed and had a good time, making the experience both meaningful and fun.”