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This year’s Black History Month celebration at Boston College — which began yesterday with an opening ceremony highlighted by a lecture from Nikki Johnson Houston, author of From Homeless to Lawyer — will showcase music, dance and culture, as well as issues of concern to the African-American community.
The celebration continues today at 4:30 p.m. with “A Celebration of Soul,” dedicated to the food and music of soul and featuring a number of African-American organizations from BC. The event, which will be held at Corcoran Commons, is sponsored by Dining Services.
The theme for Black History Month is “I Strive,” which stands for “Success, Tenacity, Respect, Individuality, Victory and Education,” said organizer Yvonne McBarnett, an academic counselor in the Office of AHANA Student Programs.
“When we started talking to students about this year’s theme they had a great idea,” she explained. “They told us that they believed ‘I Strive’ would be meaningful because it doesn’t matter where you start out in life. We’re all dealing with different challenges. Our students said they each strive to become better adults leaving BC than when they arrived. We found that to be incredibly powerful.”
Other Black History Month events at BC:
Feb. 9: “Homosexuality in the African-American Culture,” a panel discussion on cultural stereotypes and discrimination. 6 p.m., Walsh Hall Function Room.
Feb. 10: The 30th Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award Ceremony with keynote speaker Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree, 4 p.m., Robsham Theater [see related story].
Feb. 25: “Mali Music Concert,” a program of contemporary gospel music with guest artists, 6 p.m., Flynn Recreation Complex. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved by emailing pierrerb@bc.edu or dicksosa@bc.edu. The Multi-Cultural Christian Fellowship, Office of AHANA Student Services, the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, African and African Diaspora Studies, Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association and Black Student Forum will sponsor the event.
On a date still to be determined will be “Lovers Lounge,” a “Dating Game Show”-style event that brings the community together for a fun night of entertainment.
The Black History Month celebration will conclude on March 1 with a closing ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Murray Room of the Yawkey Center, with a fashion show and live entertainment provided by BC student groups.
For more information on Black History Month at Boston College, see here.