ETSU joined the nation in celebrating Black History Month on Tuesday after an official kickoff in the Brown Hall auditorium.
The ceremony started at 7 p.m. with a film highlighting the Civil Rights Movement and African-American culture throughout history. Song and interpretive dance accompanied the video and capped off with the quote “Black History is American History.”
The ceremony ended with comments by Dr. Jeff Howard, associate vice president for Student Life and Enrollment, regarding the steps taken on campus for student diversity and inclusion. He also commented on the timeline for the Culp Center reopening in time for the final week of Black History Month.
Brook’ale Anderson, president of the Black Affairs Association and chairwoman of Unapologetically Black, led the opening and outlined a schedule of events for the upcoming weeks. The month’s programming will take place over four weeks with various events.
“Really my main focus is uniting the campus community,” Anderson said. “I want to educate everybody on our culture. I want to learn about everyone else’s culture. I’m really big on unity and diversity, so that’s my number one goal.”
Week one is Education Week, which started with a red, black and green ribbon giveaway in Borchuck Plaza and the dining hall. Feb. 6 at 7 p.m there will be a discussion regarding mental health in Wilson-Wallis Hall room 205 as well as sex education on Friday.
Week two is Discussion Week and will involve discussions on natural hair care and free haircuts on Feb. 10. On Feb. 11 there will be Trap ‘N Paint, a music and painting experience, and Feb. 12 will include Shades of Black.
Week three is Culture Week, and will sport several events surrounding African-American culture. A cooking class and dance lessons will take place on Feb. 18, and there will be a Poetry Cafe event on Feb. 19. Talent Show auditions take place on Feb. 17 and 20.
The fourth and final week will be Spirit Week. The week kicks off with a Black Excellence tabling to showcase local entrepreneurs in the newly opened Multicultural Center. An African American Museum will be open in the Culp on Feb. 25. Casino Night will take place on Feb. 26, and the month will be capped off with a Black History Month Block Party on Feb. 28.
For more information regarding Black History Month activities on campus, contact the Multicultural Center at etsumc@etsu.edu.
