How Missouri S&T Celebrates Black History Month
February is National Black History Month. Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) joins the rest of the nation in recognizing this as a time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their role in U.S. history. During this month Missouri S&T celebrates prominent African American figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Muhammed Ali, Jackie Robinson, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, George Washington Carver, and Barack Obama. These are just a handful of the many African Americans that have influenced the United States and left a legacy in United States history books.
In honor of the African American leaders of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (the NAACP) encourages people to celebrate the African American spirit by supporting a black business, cooking a soul food meal, calling out prejudice and racism in your community, or by reading Dr. Kings I Have a Dream Speech. Throughout February people across the country host festivals and events to celebrate Black History Month. Missouri S&T is included in this count and hosts many events to celebrate being a diverse school, filled with people from a wide range of backgrounds, family histories, states, countries, etc. Missouri S&T encourages all students to participate in celebrating Black History Month.
Some of these events include The Black Renaissance showcase, highlighting African American art and Music, a Black History Month Celebration, a Networking Skills Event, Taste of Africa, Speed Dating, Pre-College Initiative Weekend, and Harlem Nights Casino. Black History Month events are coordinated by Missouri S&T’s Student Diversity Initiatives, the Association of Black Students, and the Black History Month planning committee. The African Student Association, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Black Mans Think Tank, and National Society of Black Engineers also hosts some of these events.
The first week of events included the Latin Dance Night, the Black History Month Kick Off, a General Body Meeting for the National Society of Black Engineers, a movie night, a “What’s Cookin’?” Event, and a philosophical discussion title “It Be Like That Sometimes”. The Latin Dance Night was held on February 1st. Basic dance lessons were taught at the beginning of the event and the event offered attendees the opportunity to learn latin dance and and spend three hours immersing themselves in the music and culture of Latin America. This event was hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. On February 4th, the Black History Month Kick Off, was held in the Havener Atrium. This event has become an annual Missouri S&T Black History Month Event. This two hour event featured information tables hosted by historically black student organizations as well as music and student performances. On February 4th there was also a General Body meeting for the National Society of Black Engineers. On February 5th, the Association of Black Students and Spectrum hosted a movie night. The “What’s Cookin’?” Event offers students a free breakfast at the Student Diversity Initiatives (SDI) House and was scheduled for February 6th, but due to inclement weather and campus closure the event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 12th from 8:30 am - 11:00 am. On February 7th, Black Mans Think Tank hosted a discussion called “It Be Like That Sometimes” . Black Mans Think Tank welcomed all to join in and encouraged open discussion on difficult social and political issues.
Black History Month activities for the rest of February can be found on the Student Diversity Initiatives page or on the Missouri S&T calendar of events.
