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Jan. 31, 2018
Northwest Missouri State University will host a series of film screenings and discussions as well as its annual Soul Food Dinner to commemorate Black History Month in February.
The 2018 nationwide theme, “African Americans in Times of War,” commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I in 1918. All Black History Month activities at Northwest are open to the public.
“It is going to be an educational journey, as we continue our discussions on civility and inclusion,” Dr. Justin Mallett, Northwest’s director of diversity and inclusion, said. “Having an opportunity to learn about some key historical figures will be great for students. It is also important for students to understand the story and the journey that many before them went through, and our programming during this month allows for this to happen.”
Black History Month activities at the University begin Thursday, Feb. 1 with “Dear World,” an interactive experience sponsored by the Student Activities Council that will feature portraits taken of students, staff and faculty. The event culminates with a participatory and emotionally stimulating event featuring the portraits and stories at 7 p.m. in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, Northwest hosts its annual Soul Food Dinner, featuring food eaten by African-American families as well as a keynote address by a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and Northwest's gospel choir. The menu will include salad, collard greens, fried chicken, fried catfish, candied tams, macaroni with cheese, cornbread and a dessert. Doors to the event in the Student Union Ballroom open at 5:30 and the dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and children 6 and older. To purchase tickets, visit https://secure.touchnet.com/C21165_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=19&;SINGLESTORE=true.
Additionally, Northwest Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is sponsoring three film screenings during the month. It will show “Crash” on Wednesday, Feb. 7; “Black Panther” on Friday, Feb. 16; and “Jungle Fever” on Wednesday, Feb. 21. All showings are free, beginning at 7 p.m. in the J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom.
“I hope people start the process of understanding the past in order to change the future,” Mallett said. “I want to use this month to continue the process of developing an inclusive mind, campus and local community. I don’t want to just carry this message of inclusiveness on campus, but I would like for this message to carry out into the community so younger kids can learn about diversity and the role it plays in history as well.”
Celebrated each February, Black History Month celebrates individuals and events in the history of the African American culture. Black History Month was founded as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson. The goal of Black History Week was to educate blacks about their cultural background and instill in them a sense of pride in their race. Since 1976, it is celebrated annually in the United States.
For more information about Black History Month activities at Northwest, contact Mallett at jmallett@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1317.
