The Ursuline School is taking an innovative approach to learning about the past during Black History Month.

The school's honor choir sang spiritual gospel songs for students and staff on Thursday.

The songs, also known as freedom songs, are deeply rooted in the hardships of slavery and the civil rights movement.

They were taught by LaFredrick Coaxner, the choir director at Harlem's famed Abyssinian Baptist Church.

The Black History Performance is the brainchild of Tamisha Chestnut, who was recently brought on as the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion director at the historically white private school.