Black History month at Arkansas State features celebration of past and future

Arkansas State University will host a series of programs in honor of Black History Month, celebrated throughout the month of February. The theme this year is “Black Resistance: Redefining the NORM (Navigating Obstacles with Renewed Momentum).”

“We wanted to look from where we have come from and look forward to the great things that we have in the future to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans here on the campus as well as throughout the world,” said Adrian Everett, director of AState's Multicultural Center.

The Black History Month kickedoff Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Reng Student Union food court with games, cake, punch and music.

Everett said the kickoff highlighted the National PanHellenic Council (NPHC) Greeks on campus. “Many of them are celebrating their 50th year of being here at Arkansas State because 1973 was when Black Greek groups were first chartered on campus.”

A fish fry and spades tournament hosted by the Student Activities Board was also held on Thursday at the Student Union Centennial Hall.

Dr. Lilllie Fears will present “The African American Experience” on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the A-State Museum. This event will include yearbook coverage from 19562013.

The Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter will have its 16th annual Soul Food Dinner at Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6-8 p.m.

The 5th annual Living Legends Awards Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Student Union auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Evolve Fashion Show will be held on March 5, at 6 p.m. in Centennial Hall of the Student Union.

In addition to activities hosted by the A-State Multicultural Center, several other organizations will host events.

Phi Beta Sigma will host several events in February including a church service on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church. They will have a community service project on Monday, Feb. 13, at Hilltop Daycare from 1-3 p.m. Their Tribute to a Black Woman will be on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Union food court.

Phi Beta Sigma will have a table set up from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Union food court for American Heart awareness on Wednesday, Feb. 15. A throwback Thursday social media challenge will be held on Feb. 16, and on Friday, Feb. 17, Pie a Sigma will be held on the Student Union lawn from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

BSA, B2B and Phi Beta Sigma will hold Cuffing Season, which is a speed-dating event, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 6-8 p.m. in the Mockingbird Room of the Student Union.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. BSA will host Black Excellence in Sports in the Red Wolf Center.

Other events hosted in part by the community will be taking place in February as well.

On Feb. 13, the Black Student Association (BSA) will host Black Business Expo in partnership with KLEK 102.5 FM in at 7 p.m. at Centennial Hall inside the Reng Student Union.

The NAACP will host a town hall meeting on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Center Stage Production will present “Once on this Island,” a musical, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17-18, at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 19. This is a ticketed event that will be held at the A-State Pavilion.

On Feb. 21, the Jonesboro alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will present a forum, “All Voices to the Table,” in the Mockingbird Room of the Student Union from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

“We are going to celebrate where we have come from but also motivate and encourage students to have that drive and momentum to keep pushing and keep achieving new things to continue to get their degrees,” said Everett.

To see a complete listing of all Black History Month events, go to AState.edu/BHM or to the official university calendar at Calendar.AState.edu.