With Black History Month around the corner, Kennesaw State prepares to launch a series of events commemorating the legacy of the minds that started a revolution in civil rights and culture in America.
Carter G. Woodson, a journalist and historian, started “Negro History Week” in February 1926 after earning a doctorate degree from Yale University. In doing so, he shined a light on the lack of representation of, and information on, black history and culture available in academia and the general public.
“Negro History Week” then became Black History Month in 1976 after drawing the support of thousands, including U.S. President Gerald Ford, according to History.com.
With what started as a quest for the knowledge of his own history, Woodson unknowingly began a movement that would continue to unify black people in America and across the world, ultimately leading to one of the most iconic civil rights movements.
Dae Rogers, a junior professional sales major, serves on the Black History Month planning committee at KSU.
“Members are in charge of planning events, a very involved process involving many different departments at KSU,” Rogers said. “Black History Month planning committee members are tasked with coming up with creative concepts for events, reaching out to members of related departments and gaining access to needed services.”
Rogers also spoke about the importance of Black History Month, noting the importance of educating people about black culture, movements and history.
In the spirit of learning, Rogers pointed out the need for a Black History Month that “digs deeper,” rather than rehashing the same information many people were taught already. Most Americans know the stories of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman but may not know the stories of thousands of other important black leaders and communities.
“I am in no way saying that this information is irrelevant, but we need to expand on what we teach,” Rogers said.
Black History Month at KSU begins with the Black History Month kickoff program on the Kennesaw campus in the student center atrium on Feb. 1 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Other events include a viewing of a documentary about the Haitian revolution called “1804,” a screening of the classic African American romance film “Brown Sugar,” a concert featuring song, dance, spoken word and step talents, a Caribbean-themed carnival and two community discussions about important black historical figures and black culture around the world.
Students interested in learning more about Black History Month or in joining the planning committee can visit the Cultural Awareness Research Center in the student center on the Kennesaw campus.