News Article

JONESBORO – 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 A-State's Multicultural Center.

The Multicultural Center has several events planned including the Black History Month kickoff from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Reng Student Union food court. There will be games, cake, punch and music.

Everett said the kickoff will highlight the National Pan-Hellenic 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 will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6-8 p.m. 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 1956-2013.

Everett said programs like this remind everyone how important it is to look at the past. "African Americans were not always well received on colleges and universities campuses like today and so that is where the momentum comes in. When you look at all of the things that African American students of the 50s-70s could not do and the things for which they fought, it just gives us momentum and drive to do better and utilize the resources that we have before us."

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.

Brother to Brother (B2B) has been part of the A-State campus since 2004. Its focus is to provide an avenue to increase graduation rates among minority male students. B2B will host a Barbershop Talk from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Student Union executive dining room. At this event, young men can get free haircuts and talk about life.

Also on Thursday, Feb. 2, a virtual roundtable will be held on Black women’s wellness. This event will be available via zoom and is hosted by the Wilson Counseling Center.

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 Hiilltop 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. 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. KLEK along with Centennial Bank will host a financial planning seminar on Friday, Feb. 3, from 6-8 p.m. at KLEK studios, located at 1411 Franklin Street.

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.