A-State Plans Black History Month Observance, Activities
JONESBORO – The Multicultural Center at Arkansas State University will host the kick-off for the annual Black History Month observance Thursday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the open court area of the Carl R. Reng Student Union.
Participants will learn the Black History Month 2018 theme and get an overview of upcoming activities for the month, according to Dr. Evette Allen, director of the Multicultural Center.
At the same event, the Black Student Association will mark 49 years on the A-State campus with an anniversary celebration and refreshments.
That evening at 6, the Multicultural Center will host a panel discussion in the Mockingbird Room of the Student Union. Guest panelists from across campus will participate in an open dialogue about the origins of Black History Month and why it is still celebrated.
Sponsors for this year’s observance of Black History Month are the Multicultural Center, Office of Diversity, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office, Research & Technology Transfer, the Department of English, Philosophy and World Languages, the Department of History, and the College of Science and Mathematics.
Major public events in February include:
- Ayana Gregory, daughter of civil rights activist Dick Gregory, will address students, faculty and staff at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in the Student Union auditorium. Through her program, "Daughter of the Struggle," she shares powerful stories and transformative songs from Gregory's experiences.
- The Strong-Turner Chapter of the A-State Alumni Association and the Multicultural Center will host the annual Soul Food Dinner on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 6 p.m. in the Military Science Building, 1921 Aggie Road.
- Mark Hayes will present a lunch and learn event, "Fake News, Wokeness, and the BLM Movement" Monday, Feb. 12, at noon in Centennial Hall. The Office of Diversity, the Student Affairs Office, and the Multicultural Center are sponsors.
Additional Black History Month campus events during the first half of February include:
- On Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 until 8 p.m., The Eta Upsilon and Kappa Nu Omega Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. are hosting a "Pink Goes Red" collaborative workout in support of the American Heart Association. There will be a "Mixed Fit & Zumba" class, as well as a "Turbo Kick" class, at 6 p.m. at the Microsociety Elementary School. Guests are asked to bring donations of Pop-tarts, ravioli, ramen noodles, packaged crackers, breakfast bars, or individual microwaveable mac and cheese, as all donations will be donated to the Microsociety Food Backpack Program.
- ASU Museum will host a panel discussion on its exhibit, "Sorting Out Race," from 5 until 7 Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the auditorium. Faculty members Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, Dr. Sandra Combs and Dr. Lillie Fears will be panelists.
- The Minorities in Healthcare Professions student organization will host an HIV/AIDS awareness table Wednesday, Feb. 7, to inform the A-State community about this autoimmune disease and healthy practices to prevent HIV/AIDS. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 13, Eta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will host a panel and open discussion about what it means to be a Black woman. The panel is 7-9 p.m. in the Multicultural Center.
- Students will bring Black history to life with a "live museum" for Black History Month. On Wednesday, Feb. 14, they will give representations of icons and moments that are important to Black culture, especially at A-State. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the open court area of the Reng Student Union.
- The Eta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., will host Black history trivia and game night, 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the Black River Room of the Student Union. Participants will share facts about historic African Americans, as well as play fun games centered around the classic and typical African American life.
For more information about Black History Month, one may consult the Black History Month website, AState.edu/Black-History-Month, or contact the Multicultural Center, Room 3003 of the Reng Student Union, (870) 680-4052.
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