WSSU celebrates Black History Month with host of events, film screenings, book tour

Winston-Salem State University will celebrate Black History Month with several events to elevate a consciousness of artistic excellence and civic engagement.

This year’s national Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts.”  The programs presented by WSSU’s University Student Activities and Engagement and Black History Month Committee will showcase the resilience of African Americans; highlight the importance of self-love and self-esteem; promote significance of an HBCU education; and celebrate music and food.

The month kicks off on with “The Miseducation of …”, a conversation that will focus on the importance of the black vote and the black man in American history. The panel will feature Marquis Crews, Austin Grier, Dr. Jack Monell and Rashad Little with host Marcus Bass.

Join the discussion, which is a tribute to the founder of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, on Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. via WSSU’s official Facebook and YouTube pages. This program is in partnership with Black Voters Matter and the Winston-Salem Urban League Young Professionals.

On Feb. 6, settle in a seat at the C.G. O’Kelly Library and watch the Academy award-nominated documentary, “Freedom on My Mind.” This is the first film to offer an in-depth chronicle of the story of Freedom Summer, detailing the complex and compelling history of the Mississippi voter registration struggles of 1961 to 1964, according to Charity Films.

The film weaves personal interviews with rare archival TV footage along with sounds of the Mississippi Delta blues and soul-stirring gospel songs to emphasize the brilliance of young black organizers and their creation of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.

The screening begins at 6 p.m. on the first floor of Information Commons in the library followed by discussion. Refreshments will be provided. Program is presented by the C.G. O’Kelly Library and ReelJustice: Films Igniting Social Change.

The following is a roundup of other Black History Month events happening on campus:

Author Ayesha Rascoe, host of NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday,” will kick off her book tour at WSSU with conversation partner Dr. Santiba D. Campbell. The book features essays of popular and prominent HBCU graduates including Oprah Winfrey, Stacey Abrams, Branford Marsalis and Roy Wood, Jr.  The event is free, but registration is required. Click here to register.

Games, music, karaoke (love songs only), prizes and a candy bar define this event, presented in partnership with the Office of Interpersonal Violence Prevention. 

It’s a day party with a purpose featuring KJ the DJ, door prizes, pizza, T-shirts, raffles, line dancing and speakers. STI testing will be provided by the Forsyth County Department of Public Health. WSSU student ID required. This event is in partnership with the A.H. Ray Student Health Center, All of Us Research Program, Delta Research and Educational Foundation, R.A.P. (Research Accelerates Possibilities) Sessions and Research Matters.

Sponsored by Black Voters Matters, it may look like a block party on the surface but it’s actually a space to amplify the essence of black joy while empowering campus communities to understand the importance of their civic footprint using pushes for voter registration, education and the importance of early voting.

Filmmaker Margaret Brown explores the historic discovery of The Clotilda, the last known ship carrying enslaved Africans illegally to the U.S.  Presented by the C.G. O’Kelly Library and ReelJustice: Films Igniting Social Change. Discussion to follow and refreshments will be served.

WSSU will celebrate Caribbean, Latino and African cultures through music and food. Presented in partnership with the Caribbean Student Association, the African Student Association and the Hispanic Organization Latino Association (HOLA). 

Students will test their knowledge of black history through a trivia battle while enjoying a family reunion menu by WSSU Dining Services. Music by DJ Shmoody.

For more information on any of these events, email Chelii Broussard at broussardch@wssu.edu

About Winston-Salem State University: Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region, and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.