Black History Month Kicks Off

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Posted on February 1, 2017

Joy Washington

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“As we celebrate Black History Month,” said Jamora Valrie, director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of South Alabama, “our theme is 'Celebrating the Power of Collaboration through Fellowship.' Through history, we have experienced many challenges, but as a people, we rise up each time. And as we rise up, we need to be reminded that we need each other.”

The University is celebrating the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent during Black History Month. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and several student organizations kicked off Black History Month with the annual Soul Food Luncheon. The event that brings together the University campus showcased a delicious meal with inspirational gospel, spoken word poetry and a thought-provoking speech by Carl A. Thomas, president of the African-American Student Association and a junior business major from Calvert, Ala.

Thomas reminded everyone to study Black History, and find those stories of brave African-Americans that may not have been included in the history books. He also mentioned the story of three African-American women who worked at NASA and were the brains behind helping to launch astronaut John Glenn into space. The movie “Hidden Figures” is playing at theaters in Mobile and around the country.

The luncheon closed with national artist Andra Day’s popular song, “Rise Up,” sung by Feaunte Preyear, coordinator of health education USA’s Student Health Center.

There will be a variety of Black History programs at South, including dramatic arts presentations, an awards recognition event and film screenings throughout February. The events are free and open to the public.

Historian Carter G. Woodson, an African-American scholar, and educator established Negro History Week with the first celebration on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, the week was expanded into Black History Month.

The following events will celebrate this legacy:

Friday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.: Black Girls Rock, Student Center Ballroom

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.: Black History Movie Night, “Loving,” Student Center Ballroom

Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Black Love Forum, Student Center Terrace

Friday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.: Black History Trivia with AASA and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Monday, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.: Women of Excellence New Member Induction Ceremony, Student Center Ballroom

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.: NAACP Movie Night, Student Center Room 203

Thursday, Feb. 16, noon: African-American Student Association presents “Who am I? Pop up Skit Monologue,” Student Center Court Yard

Thursday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.: Black History Month Comedy Night featuring Comedian Tre Stewart, Student Center Terrace

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.: Collegiate 100 African American Heritage Trail Tour

Monday, Feb. 20, TBA: Collegiate 100 New Members Induction Ceremony, Student Center Ballroom

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.: MADDRAMA Performance “Excellence without Excuse,” Student Center Ballroom

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Black History Jeopardy, Student Center Ballroom

Saturday, Feb. 25, 6:06 p.m.: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “Stroll off Competition,” Student Center Ballroom

For more information about Black History Month events, contact Petre Freeman, coordinator of the USA Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at (251) 460-6895 or send an email to omsa@southalabama.edu.

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