MTSU will be hosting a series of events throughout February in observance of Black History Month.
The theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” The events will center on the heritage of the African American community with movies, speakers and more.
- This year’s Black History Month Featured Speaker is Stephen A. Smith. Smith, a commentator on ESPN First Take, will be attending a Male Identity and Empowerment Workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. and deliver his speech at 7 p.m. This event also doubles as a Connection Point event for students.
- Beginning Feb. 1 with a photo exhibit in the James E. Walker Library, students will have the opportunity to examine photos revealing the history of African Americans in Middle Tennessee.
- Throughout the month several movies will be shown, starting on Thursday with Selma, which follows the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. Other films that will be shown during the month as a part of MTSU’s Black History Month Movie Night Series include Straight Outta Compton, Friday and Remember the Titans.
- Rutherford County Center for the Arts will be presenting Dreamgirls on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 12-28. Students can purchase tickets at a discounted rate online here.
- Conferences and discussions will also be held that are targeted towards gaining awareness of Black History Month. “Erasing the Stain of Colorism” will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Student Union Building in room 210 from 6-7:30 p.m.
- Students may also attend other discussions taking place over the next several weeks, with a special Women’s Empowerment Workshop hosted by Judge Camille McMullen on Thursday, Feb. 18. McMullen, a state criminal appeals court judge in Memphis, Tennessee, will deliver the Unity Luncheon address earlier that same day.
All events, with the exception of the Unity Luncheon and Dreamgirls, are free for MTSU students. The full calendar of events can be found here.
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