Black History Month was first introduced as "Negro History Week" in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson launched it in order to shine attention onto the many contributions to American history that have been made by black people. At that time, "Negro History Week" was the second week of February, chosen by Dr. Woodson because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men that have done much to influence black Americans. Then, in 1976, the Bicentennial of the United States of America, The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History expanded Dr. Woodson's week into what is now known as Black History Month.

Events

MLK Read-A-Thon 

Throughout Black History Month each February, students, faculty, and staff are invited to volunteer to read to children at local elementary and middle schools. There is a large selection of books available by diverse authors, with diverse titles and with diverse and inclusive subject matter. The annual MLK Bibliography is curated by staff at Kent Library on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Please contact the MLK Committee at mlkcommittee@semo.edu to volunteer for the annual MLK Read-A-Thon to read to students at Blanchard Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Cape Middle School in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 

Date: February 1 to 26, 2021 
Location: Blanchard Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Cape Middle School 

Sexuality & Relationships in the Black Community Panel Discussion 

Date: February 2, 2021 
Time: 6:30- 8 p.m. 
Location: Gateway Church 
Streaming Live: Facebook Live @GatewayChurchMO, Youtube @BenjaminPorter 

Film "Queen and Slim"

Date: February 3, 2021 
Time: 7 p.m. 
Location: UC Ballroom B 

Film "John Lewis: Good Trouble"

This documentary is a depiction of John Lewis, a civil rights leader. Lewis is a congressman that advocated for equality, voting rights, gun control, health care reform, and immigration. Come enjoy this film and witness the leadership and bravery of John Lewis.  

Date: February 9th, 2021 
Time: 6 p.m. 
Location: Rose Theatre 

Comedian Ronnie Jordan 

Comedian Ronnie Jordan has been featured on BET's Comic View, Martin Lawerence Presents the 1st Amendment Stand- Up, P. Diddy Presents Bad Boys of Comedy 

Date: February 12, 2021 
Time: 8 p.m. 
Location: Academic Auditorium 

Activism (Media Portrayl) of the Black Community Panel Discussion 

Date: February 15, 2021
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m. 
Location: Gateway Church 
Streaming Live: Facebook Live @GatewayChurchMO, Youtube @BenjaminPorter 

Film "What Killed Michael Brown?"

This film is about the shooting in 2014 of a black teen by a white cop. This tragic death shook America and started the Black Lives Matter Movement. The movie reveals the truth of systematic racism and the death of Michael Brown.  

Date: February 16, 2021 
Time: 5:30 p.m. 
Location: Rose Theatre 

Impact of Systemic Trauma within the Black Community Panel Discussion 

Date: February 23, 2021 
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m. 
Location: Gateway Church 
Streaming Live: Facebook Live @GatewayChurchMO, Youtube @BenjaminPorter 

Poet Jahman Hill 

Jahman Hill is an award- winning poet, playwright, and professor. In 2018, Jahman claimed the title of the 3rd best poet in the world, and in 2019 he wrote, produced, and starred in an award-winning one-man show, Black Enough, which played off-Broadway. Jahmin Hill has become a sought-after poet internationally. 

Date: February 24, 2021 
Time: 7 p.m. 
Location: UC Program Lounge 

Black Women, Backbone of the Black Community Panel Discussion 

Date: February 25, 2021 
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m. 
Location: Gateway Church 
Streaming Live: Facebook Live @GatewayChurchMO, Youtube @BenjaminPorter 

"Bridges" Diversity Showcase 

The Holland College of Arts and Media Diversity Committee is proud to present “Bridges” — an interdepartmental collaborative event. We will bridge Black History Month and Women’s History Month by featuring acts from faculty, staff, and students from across the university. Works will be composed, written, performed and/or representing African Americans, women, or both! 

Date: March 1, 2021 
Time: 6 p.m. 
Location: Rose Theatre 

I Love Female Orgasm

Student Activities Panel invites you to laugh and learn about the "big O," the most popular topic sex educators Rachel Dart and Marshall Miller teach about! Orgasm aficionados and beginners of all genders are welcome to come learn about everything from multiple orgasms to that mysterious G-spot. Whether you want to learn how to have your first orgasm, how to have better ones, or how to help your partner, Rachel and Marshall cover it all with lots of humor, plenty of honesty, and an underlying message of sexual health and women's empowerment. Are you coming?

Date: March 4, 2021 
Time: 7 p.m. 
Location: Rose Theatre 

Performance by Zhalarina 

Zhalarina H. Sanders is a rapper, actress, and producer from Tampa, FL who serves as a co-founder and Exective Director of the JVN Project, a Hip-Hop centered non-profit that seeks to serve and empower.  

Date: March 24, 2021 
Time: 8 p.m. 
Location: UC Ballroom A