Twenty-eight days of rememberance: WSSU celebrates Black History Month

From beginning to end, this month is filled with events commemorating an immense heritage of great distinction. As Black History Month, February is a celebrated time across the U.S. Many great leaders, freedom fighters and activists of the past are remembered and honored during this time for their hard work and dedication to the black community. As a Historically Black College/University, WSSU stands to help continue the legacy, not only during Black History Month but also throughout the year. There are many activities to get involved in during Black History Month at WSSU. Most are free and open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 5: Teachers and staff of Forest Park Elementary School seek volunteers to participate in an African-American read-in of literary works by African-American authors. Books will be provided, but participants may bring personal favorites. Each will be assigned a 30-minute block of time. African-American attire is welcomed at this event.

Thursday, Feb. 8: Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight will present a lecture at 9:45 a.m. She is the founder and president of "Can Do!" Ministries, a progressive, preventive youth advocacy ministry. The lecture will take place in Dillard Auditorium at the Anderson Conference Center.

Tuesday, Feb. 13: Black History Trivia, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. WSSU students compete in teams of four to answer questions on black history. The competition will take place at Kennedy Dining Hall in the Thompson Student Service Center.

Thursday, Feb: 15. There will be a Black Male Symposium Community Panel Discussion at the Thompson Student Service Center in room 207. The event begins at noon and ends at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb.15: Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, former U.S. Representative, will present the keynote address at 6 p.m. for a forum on "Economic Development in the Black Community." The forum takes place in Dillard Auditorium, Anderson Conference Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 16: On the lighter side of things, you can catch a panel discussion featuring comedians Tyler Craig and Leon Roger on the use of the N-word. The discussion is from 11 a.m. to noon. Then, after a quick break, head for the C.E. Gaines Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a comedy show featuring Tyler Craig and Leon Roger.

Sunday, Feb. 18: There will be a showing at 7 p.m. of the documentary movie, "Untold Story of Emmet Till." The movie will be playing in the Thompson Student Service Center in room 207.

Monday, Feb. 19. Chill out with the NGroove Café at Author Night. WSSU alumna and contemporary romance author AlTonya Washington will be sharing some of her work. The event takes place in Java City Café, near the Atkinson Science Building, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 22: The Campus Activity Board Black History Month Speaker Jeff Johnson will deliver a keynote address. Johnson is a BET talk-show host, correspondent, and voice for the hip-hop generation. Check him out in the Thompson Student Service Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 23: Rapping up the month's festivities, the 2nd Annual Non-Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) Step Show will take place in the C.E. Gaines Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is so much history to celebrate, but not enough time to do it all. WSSU has a lot of black history to share with its students. Everyone is invited to make the time to take part in as many black history events as possible this month and continue to share in the legacy of black history.