You may have thought assemblies were a thing of the past. In a COVID world, a group gathering seems near impossible. However, this past Monday, BHS students attended a virtual assembly during second hour. Classes zoomed in, and even virtual students were able to attend. The senior class experienced the assembly as a whole. 

The featured guest was Clint Smith, an acclaimed writer and poet. He read his poems, talked about his writing process, including his upcoming book How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, and answered questions. He presented his overarching theme of racial injustice in America in an artistic, powerful way. Mixed with personal stories of growing up as a black man, Smith’s poetry portrayed his message wonderfully.

Staff writer at The Atlantic, Smith has had quite the career in journalism. His work has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, among other publications. His collection of poetry, Counting Descent, has won many awards and his first nonfiction book is in the works. Not to mention he’s a National Poetry Slam champion and has two TED Talks with over 7 million collective views.

Did you love the assembly like we did? Find so many more videos and publications on his website here.