January 31, 2002

Arkansas State University
to celebrate Black History Month


Arkansas State University offices and student organizations will host a month of speakers, programs and several events in celebration of Black History Month.

The celebration of African-American heritage and culture will kick-off Friday, Feb. 1, with the commemoration of Carter G. Woodson. A former slave, Woodson founded Negro History Week which eventually evolved into what we have come to know today as Black History Month.

Cake and punch will be served to the ASU and Jonesboro communities in the lobbies of the Carl R. Reng Center and Dean B. Ellis Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.

"Black history to me means pride, pride to myself, to my heritage and culture," Tiffany Crawford, a sophomore speech communications major of Memphis, said.

This year’s theme, "Black History: America’s History. Remembering Yesterday To Shape Tomorrow," was prompted by the events of Sept. 11.

"We wanted to put the two together because they are both very significant right now and to let people know that it is still a part of our thoughts and prayers," Parice Tyler, assistant dean of students in the office of minority affairs, said.Events will continue on Sunday, Feb. 3, with an African-American "Read-In" held from 2 to 4 p.m. in room 119 of the ASU library.

A panel discussion including ASU administration and professors entitled "African-American Experiences at ASU" will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Osage Room of the Carl R. Reng Center Tuesday, Feb. 5.

A Black History Game Show will be held in the Reng Center Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Prizes will be awarded.

Every Monday and Tuesday in February, film matinees will be held in ASU Museum room 182 featuring black history and culture in film.

The Jonesboro community will have an opportunity to participate on Saturday, Feb. 9, with the Black History Month Marade and Unity Rally beginning at the parking lot of Simmons First Bank located on Caraway Road. The marade will begin at 11 a.m. and will end at the lobby of the Dean B. Ellis Library at 1:30 p.m.

The Student Health Center will host a date rape seminar at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, in the Osage room of the Reng Center and the Miss Essence 2002 pageant will be Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Reng Center Ballroom.

High school students maintaining a 2.75 grade point average or higher in the northeast Arkansas, Memphis and Delta areas are encouraged to come out to "Discover Diversity Through You" sponsored by the Office of Admissions. The session will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Reng Center on Saturday, Feb. 16. Later that afternoon the Black History Month Greek Show will begin at 3:14 p.m. in the ASU Armory.

The College of Communications and Office of Minority Affairs will host "I Am A Man" multi-media show at 7:30 p.m. in Riceland Hall at the Fowler Center. The session will feature a guest panel of photojournalists who were working during the Civil Rights Movement.

An African-American health issues seminar is set for Tuesday, Feb. 19, at noon. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch to the Reng Center Osage room. ASU students will perform monologues at 7 p.m. and will involve elementary children from the Jonesboro community and the ASU United Voices Choir. The month-long celebration will close with an African-American AIDS Awareness program at 7 p.m. in the Reng Center on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and the Arkansas Black Student Association Leadership Conference Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 2.

For information about events, times or locations contact the Office of Minority Affairs at 870-972-2034.

NewsPage: asunews.astate.edu/newspage.htm  |  Back to TOP  |