Since 1976, February has been officially recognized as Black History Month to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans. This year, nearly 50 years later, SHU’s Black Student Union (BSU) and Multicultural Center are hosting a month-long series of events to educate and appreciate the contributions of the Black community.
To kick off Black History Month, the Multicultural Center held one of their fanfavorite events, a Multicultural Kickback, filled with games, Black History Trivia and community on Feb. 5. Following the event, students were encouraged to attend an intro to the “Divine Nine” Panel in the Schine Auditorium hosted by the BSU, highlighting the legacy of the Divine Nine (D9) historically Black Greek-letter organizations, on college campuses.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, BSU will be hosting their highly-anticipated fourth annual Black Love Gala. This masquerade-themed gala will be celebrating love and community. All are welcome to attend.
“Students are very excited for the events this month, specifically the Black Love Gala, because students have the opportunity to dress up and come together as a community,” said BSU President Temitayo Sanusi. “I’m excited to see all the hard work that the e-board and I have put into planning this month pay off!”
BSU Retention Chair, Gregory Dort, said he is looking forward to the Black Love Gala and other events, and stressed the importance of educating people about Black History Month.
Source: Instagram, @shu_multiculturalcenter_
“I believe it is important to educate the community on Black History Month so everyone is aware of the struggles, contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history,” said Dort.“The celebration of this month also combats discrimination within society by promoting awareness, empathy and appreciation for diverse cultures and experiences.”
In addition to events on campus, the BSU is partnering with the SHU Community Theatre to celebrate Black History Month with a series of films highlighting the narratives and art of the Black community, including “Judas and the Black Messiah” on Feb. 15 and “Moonlight” on Feb. 23.
The Multicultural Center will be hosting “No, You Can’t Touch My Hair” in the Schine Theater on Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. to start a conversation about the history, significance, and beauty of Black hair. Students who attend will also receive a gift bag to begin their Black hair care journey.
“From a historical lens, African Americans in America have not received the recognition for their innovation, creativity, and overall intelligence,” said Executive Director of Multicultural Affairs, Robert Johnson. “Black history is American history, so it’s important to showcase the individuals, the groups, and the time periods in which black people have contributed to the world in such a positive fashion.”
All of these events are open to anyone on campus and students are encouraged to get involved. To learn more about Black History Month and upcoming events on campus, follow the BSU and Multicultural Center on Instagram @shu_bsu and @shu_multiculturalcenter_.
Henry Hirsch contributed to this article
