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Volume 1 Issue 2 February 2013

T he year 2013 marks the anniversary of three important events in history: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham that killed four young girls. The National Black History Month theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality,” reflects these milestones. Black History Month is celebrated nationwide throughout the month of February with programs and events that not only commemorate the past, but also honor the continuous progress that African Americans have made. Black History Month stems back to February 1926 when Negro History Week was established by Carter G. Woodson, the father of black history. He and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) chose the second week of February because it encompasses the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, notable figures in the African American community. Instead of trying to create a new tradition, Woodson implored the public to extend their study of black history through Negro History Week. In the late 1970’s, the week-long celebration was expanded to a month.

Arkansas State University celebrates Black History Month with a series of events and programs geared toward the past, present, and future success of African Americans. For a list of events, see page 3 of this newsletter.

T he 25th Annual Southwest Black Student Leadership Conference, hosted by Texas A & M University in College Station, TX, was held January 17-20, 2013. Fifteen students represented Arkansas State University at the conference. Students who attended the conference are members of the Black Student Association (BSA), Circle of Trust, and Brother to Brother. The conference consisted of leadership workshops and opening and closing banquets with speakers Jewel Diamond Taylor, Major General Ronald Bailey, and Stephen A. Smith. LaTasha Moore, president of the Black Student Association, was selected as a participant in the Charles Edward Williams II Advanced Leadership Institute. Only 25 students out of the 550 conference participants were selected. “The Advanced Leadership Institute was a wonderful to chance to get to know other leaders personally. We remained around each other for the duration of the conference – participating in detailed discussions concerning

Student Leaders attend Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference

Arkansas State University Multicultural Center Newsletter

Photo courtesy: www.tjholmes.net

“Not just a Space, but a Place for ALL!”

2013 Black History Month Celebration “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality”

TJ Holmes, a former news anchor for CNN and host of BET’s “Don’t Sleep,” will join the Multicultural Center for their Tribute to Black History Month program. Holmes will discuss his personal success with freedom and equality and what this means in today’s society. The event is Monday, February 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the Carl R. Reng Student Union Centennial Hall.

Photo Courtesy: Niya Blair

Student attendees at SBSLC with advisors Niya Blair and Adrian Everett

diversity and learning about our leadership characteristics. It was an honor to be apart of the program that honored the life of TAMU alumnus Charles E. Williams II,” said Moore. “I've been to many conferences over my past college years and this was by far the BEST I’ve attended. It was well organized and kept us engaged the entire time without being overwhelmed. I would recommend it to anyone” stated Alicia Rose Black Student Association Senior Advisor. There were 49 institutions represented at the conference. ASU conference participants were: Jonathan Williams, Summer Jackson, Brianna Williams, Rayven Giles, Charleen Hooper-Lewis, LaDawana Williams, Nova Paige, Phebe Hall, Justin Taylor, LaTasha Moore, Alicia Rose, Brian Crayton, Robert Johnson, Shaquille Spearman, Tianna Baker, and advisors Adrian Everett and Niya Blair. Students were sponsored by Student Government, the Office of Diversity Initiatives, and the Multicultural Center.

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The Non-Traditional Student Organization promotes

the success of non-traditional students at ASU - Jonesboro

through social, academic, and community support, and

better connects non-traditional students to the University.

Are you a Non-Traditional Student?

The criteria are:

25 years or older

Returning to school after 5 years

Full-time working professionals

Married or single with a child/children

Veterans

Commute 30 miles to and from the

university

Join the Non-Traditional Student

Organization today! Email nontraditional.asu@gmail.com

Follow NTO on Facebook!

Non-Trad Upcoming Events

Educational Lecture Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Noon—1:00 p.m. Reng Student Union—Multicultural Center

Grab N Go Mondays

Every Monday 8:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

Reng Student Union—Multicultural Center

A re you aware of all the resources the Multicultural Center has to offer? The MC has a variety of books for students to read, as well as a variety of magazines. Diversity Executive and Hispanic Business are some of the magazines that are available in the Multicultural Center. The magazine Diversity Executive provides helpful articles about how to embrace our differences in the work place, as well as to how to overcome obstacles that minorities face. Another magazine is Hispanic Business, which concentrates on the career successes of minorities, specifically Hispanics. The magazines provided in the Multicultural Center represent the viewpoints of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. As you visit the MC, remember that we come from different places, but share the same goals. Magazines may be viewed in the Multicultural Center

Reng Student Union 3rd Floor, Room 3003

2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Highlights

Review by: Meelviss Torres

Check it Out!

Student Activities Board members at Community Parade Mayor Harold Perrin at the

Northeast Arkansas MLK community program Dallas Black Dance

Theatre performance

Dancers at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre performance

MLK Community Program

Candlelight Vigil Brianna Williams

Candlelight Vigil with Chancellor Hudson

Day of Service at City Youth Ministries with Dr. Dee Dee Hudson

*All photos courtesy of ASU Yearbook Staff

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Carl R. Reng Student Union

3rd Floor Suite 3003

870-680-4052

astatemc@astate.edu

Visit our website

CONTACT US

Candence Williams Program Coordinator Multicultural Center

Kevin Cole Art Exhibit: “And the Band Played On” Reng Student Union, Multicultural Center

Viewing Mon.- Fri. 8a.m.-5p.m. February 4th—March 1st

“Art as Resistance: The History and Significance of African American Quilts” by Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch

Tuesday, February 5th ASU Museum—Auditorium Room 182: 5 p.m.

The “Underground Railroad Experience” Tuesday, February 5th

ASU Museum—Main Gallery: 5 p.m.—7p.m.

“Who is Kevin Cole?” Lecture by Director Garbo Hearne, Hearne Fine Arts Gallery

Wednesday, February 13th Reng Student Union, Multicultural Center: 12 p.m.

Allan Harris Band—Friday, February 15th ASU Fowler Center—7:30 p.m. Call 870-972-2781 for tickets

Minority Student Organizations

Black Student Association Brother 2 Brother Circle of Trust Gay Straight Alliance Hispanic Outreach & Latino Appreciation Multicultural Center Ambassadors Non-Traditional Student Organization

Join Today!

Meelviss Torres Graduate Assistant Multicultural Center

Next Newsletter Issue: March 5th

Niya Blair Director Multicultural Center

Multicultural

Center Hours

Monday—Thursday

8:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m.

Friday

8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

A Tribute to Black History Month featuring T.J. Holmes

Monday, February 18th Reng Student Union, Centennial Hall: 6 p.m.

BSA Black History Jeopardy Thursday, February 21st

Reng Student Union, Multicultural Center: 5 p.m.

BSA All Black Affair Gala Friday, February 22nd

Reng Student Union, Centennial Hall: 7 p.m.

National Pan-Hellenic Council Best Steppers Monday, February 25th

Nettleton Performing Arts Center: 6 p.m. $7 at door or $5 with canned good

Gospel Explosion Tuesday, February 26th

Reng Student Union, Centennial Hall: 7 p.m.

Black History Month Celebration Events

Book your next event in the MC!

Call the Multicultural Center for more information about Black History Month Events