Special events planned for Black History Month

A history-based field trip, a dinner and a seminar on finance are among the gatherings scheduled to recognize February as Black History Month on Radford University’s campus.

“These events were intentionally curated to offer experiences that show the diversity of what is Black culture, family, friendships and more,” said Ashley Offutt, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which, along with Diversity Awareness Programming, is hosting them.

“We hope that all the Highlander family will take advantage of these great events that are taking place,” Offutt said.

These events, which are free but only for students and faculty, include:

• Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19 – Mini-Excursion: Greensboro, North Carolina – Visit both the International Civil Rights Museum and the Rich Girls Museum.  EVENT NOTE: As of Feb. 11, all spaces on the Mini-Excursion are filled.
  
• Monday, Feb. 21 at 6:15 p.m., Kyle Hall 340  – Danielle Davis – Financial Literacy Keynote – Davis specializes in helping college students gain financial literacy and also conducts one-on-one financial coaching to help consumers get out of debt, pay off credit cards and student loans, buy a car, make a budget, set up savings and other money-related issues. Davis can be found on Facebook and Instagram by searching “The Financial Freedom Educator.” Guests are required to RSVP online at the event page.
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., Kyle Hall – Annual Black History Month Dinner – This semi-formal event is hosted Diversity Awareness Programming. A guest speaker will be announced closer to the date of the event. Guests are required to RSVP online at the event page.

Black History Month was established as a means to pay tribute “to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society,” according to blackhistorymonth.gov.

When the concept first originated in 1926, it was only a weeklong celebration. Some 50 years later, in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to one month, February.

“Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” Ford urged Americans.

“It is important that Black History Month is recognized to elaborate on the important contributions of Black people, culture and history,” Offutt said. “As an office, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion celebrates all cultures and acknowledges the contributions that make the world great.”