Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 20, 2026 Black Student Union embraces February Black History Month New Advisor Richard Voltaire and first-year officers have Malden High School culture club off to great start By Kayla Turner Blue and Gold Malden High School Student Newspaper A t Malden High School, known for its diverse community of students and teachers, it is no surprise that students have formed bonds with one another, creating clubs to share and express similar views. The Black Student Union (BSU), led by junior president Venusia Teklu, “brings community to MHS," she said. The BSU is off to a great start this year with a new advisor and new officers. Due to the deparGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Malden Public Schools hosts Black History Month Celebration on Wednesday, February 25 By Steve Freker T From left, new-this-year Black Student Union advisor Richard Voltaire, BSU President Venusia Teklu, BSU Vice President Wongel Yohannes. (Courtesy/MHS Blue and Gold/ Graphic Design Kayla Turner Photo) ture of former advisor Michel-Le Meranda, longtime Malden High School Student & Staff Support member Richard Voltaire has stepped up in the role of the club’s new advisor. Voltaire, who is one of the most visible and popular members of the MHS staff, said the new advisor position "offers a really good opportunity” for him to “help out in a way and to elevate a club.” Voltaire strives to make a “mark and to inspire people” quite similar to him. The MHS Black Student Union in February is embracing Black History Month and some members plan on participating in the Malden Public Schools Black History Month Celebration at the Ferryway School on Wednesday, February 25. See separate story. The group previously held he Malden Public Schools hosts a celebration of Black History Month on Wednesday, February 25 at the Ferryway K-8 School Gymnasium, 150 Cross St., Malden. The event is a citywide event, it is free to all and there will be programs, exhibits and informative booths for all ages. All Malden residents are invited to attend to honor and celebrate Black History Month, which runs the entire month of February. Black History Month is celebrated in the United States and Canada throughout February to honor the contributions and history of African Ameritheir meetings in Meranda’s room and has now relocated to the Student Study Center (SSC) in classroom H102. BSU— which was dormant for a number if years— was reconstituted three years ago, holding its first meeting on Novemcans. Officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, it evolved from "Black History Week," established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the first Black activist Frederick Douglass. At the February 25 event, attendees will have opportunities to visit booths, take home snacks and food, and watch the presentations, including groups from several schools, including the Malden High Step Team and a new Middle School Step Team. Representatives from various community groups will be on hand along with a planned keynote speaker. ber 30th, 2022. Earlier that year, Malden High alumnus Meklit Abel thought of the idea to start a Black Student Union at Malden High, which eventually became a club to “create a safe space for Black students in Malden High to talk about issues that are usually stigmatized." Teklu corroborated Abel’s concept of giving a space for students to be seen, supported, and be proud of who they are. Senior Sorin Mamouzette shared, “BSU gives an open space to discuss big issues and the opportunity to have your voice be heard. It’s a great way to strengthen the Black community within the school.” “The main purpose of a Black Student Union is honestly to uplift Black students and educate the school and also create a space where we can talk about our experiences, celebrate culture, and push for positive change,” Teklu said. The BSU assists students to learn more about things they “used to never really think about, from how colorism affects our STUDENT | SEE PAGE 9
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