February is here already!
And for CLEmagazine it’s not just another month in the year, because with it comes the memory, acknowledgement and celebration of the many contributions Blacks in the diaspora have made and continue to make everyday.
So why February anyway?
Well, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, also known as the “Father of Black History,” founded Negro History Week in the second week of February in 1926. He chose this week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced African- Americans: Frederick Douglass (February 14), one of the foremost black abolitionists and civil rights leaders in the nation, and President Abraham Lincoln (February 12), who signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
However, because of the numerous contributions African-Americans have made, Negro History Week didn’t quite suffice. In 1976 it expanded to what we now know and celebrate as Black History Month.
In recognition of Black History Month, CLEmagazine decided to find out what some of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities are doing to observe, and celebrate Black excellence on their campuses.
Howard University, where the father of Black history himself once served as a professor and Dean, has a nice line up of events in honor of Black History Month.
1) On February 1st Howard University hosted a Women to Women conference.
This is an annual event where dynamic African-American women, who are leaders in their fields come together to reach out to, and encourage young women in the greater Washington area.
2) On February 7th the office of student activities sponsored an event called The Power of the Black Vote.
3) On February 8th The Undergraduate Student Assembly hosted The Black History Month Kickoff: Entrepreneurship Showcase. Student entrepreneurs were able to promote their clothing and jewelry lines while students enjoyed music from a DJ, free food, bowling, and plenty of giveaways.
4) The University also hosted a huge fundraising event on February 9th called Eternal Voices, to help alleviate starvation in Somalia. For only $10 students were able to enjoy a powerful showcase of voices and artistic talents of the African diaspora. It included music, poetry and art. Afro Blue Vocal Band and Amiri Baraka headlined the event.
“The ultimate goal was to raise awareness and to take a hard look at the issues that are facing the African Diaspora,” said Victoria Fortune, coordinator of Eternal Voices and founder of the Global Relief Fund.
Here’s a look at the promo video for Howard University’s Help Somalia: Eternal Voices event.
5) The Howard University Student Association, the Society of Collegiate Black men, and the John H. Johnson School of Communication are collaborating to host a month long African-American book drive. They are collecting African-American inspired books to give to students at a local elementary school in the Washington, DC area.
6) On February 14th the Undergraduate Student Association hosted an event called Think Fast, an interactive audience response trivia game where students were able to win up to $200 in cash prizes answering Black History trivia questions.
For more information on events at Howard University check out their student activities home page here.
Hampton University has a full calendar dedicated to events in celebration of Black History Month. Some of the events include:
1) A Black History Month opening ceremony – the university’s kick off to its month long celebration.
2) On February 6th the university hosted a Black Expo which featured its student entrepreneurs and their businesses.
3) On February 16th there will be an All Day Black Cinema Event in the student center theater, free of charge.
4) The university will also be hosting seminars on the state of the Black man, Black woman, and Black Greek. These seminars will take place February 20th, 21st, and 22nd respectively.
5) To end the month of celebration, Hampton will host a closing ceremony on February 23rd, and finally a Black History Extravaganza on February 24th.Corinthian Tyson, chair person of the Black History Month events at Hampton said,
At Hampton, Black History means paying attention to our legacy, knowing what we’ve done, what we’re doing and what we need to do. Our objective is to excel what we have plateaued.”
For more information on events at Hampton University check out their student activities home page here.
At Tuskegee University they are celebrating Black History Month by educating their students with a special series of lectures in honor of professor Frank J. Toland. Some of the titles include: Africans in the Diaspora and African Development, Black Rural Communities and the Struggle for Education, and Immigration: Civil Rights Issue or Political Football.
The University has also dedicated a part of their website to pay special tribute to the Tuskegee airmen.
Tuskegee University President Gilbert L. Rochon says, “The Tuskegee Airmen have set the standard to the degree of courageousness that we all aspire to.” To view the wonderful tribute page they’ve made click here.
For more information on events at Tuskegee University check out their student activities home page here.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is celebrating Black History Month by hosting a Black History Convocation on February 17th. Their keynote speaker will be Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll. She is the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida, and the first African-American elected Statewide. The University has scheduled to suspend classes for the duration of the convocation, so that all students will be able to attend. FAMU will also be celebrating black history by paying tribute to Afr
ican-American films, starting from February 3rd until the end of the month. They will be showing 22 films ranging from the 1930s to current times, and will also feature a few guest lectures. Take a look at the tribute to African-American in films event here.
For more information on events at FAMU check out their student activities home page here.
North Carolina A&T started their celebration on February 1st by celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the “sit down protest” that took place at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter on February 1, 1960, by the A&T Four. The celebration started with a Sit-in anniversary breakfast, which was followed by a laying of the memorial wreath, and ended with a student roundtable discussion with the A&T four. The Student University Activities Board will also be hosting a Black History Quiz bowl event on February 1st. The sophomore class will also be throwing an event called My Roots, which will include stepping, the singing of the Black national anthem, praise dancing and African dancing.
Professor and Executive Director of the University Events Center at North Carolina A&T, Ryan Maltese, took the time to tell us what Black History means to North Carolina A&T. He says,
“[Black History] is celebrating our past and present by joining together to learn and appreciate our roots.”
For more information on events at North Carolina A&T check out their student activities home page here.
Since 1837 HBCU’s have contributed significantly to the movements of African-Americans in this country. They hold an extensive amount of history on their campuses, which serves as a constant reminder to students and to those who visit, the many great contributions African-Americans have made to their global community. Some of the most prominent African-Americans and leading civil rights activist were educated or have taught at these institutions, and it is a beautiful thing to see that the legacy is not only being remembered but still carries on.
By Ashlee Wisdom
