SRU puts the ‘Dream in Motion’ for Black History Month

Slippery Rock University will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a variety of activities and events. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Dream in Motion.”

Jan. 29, 2019

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University will celebrate Black History Month in February with a theme of "The Dream in Motion." While there are many activities planned that will indeed result in SRU students, faculty and staff moving around campus, the motion is more about fulfilling the dream of Martin Luther King Jr., articulated in his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

"We've made so much forward movement that we wanted to recognize, with the selected theme, that the dream is happening now," said Keshia Booker, assistant director for multicultural development in SRU's Office of Inclusive Excellence. "There are many ways to be in motion or to have movement throughout the course of African-American history, as well as taking what most people view was Martin Luther King Jr.'s platform and putting that dream in motion."

While the OIE serves as the hub for organizing Black History Month events, many student organizations, academic departments and other entities on campus are participating.

"There's a lot of excitement this year," Booker said. "(Black History Month is at) the start of the semester, so everyone is full of energy, and it gets a lot of people involved with collaborative programming and things are happening around one cause. We have great programming and it gives African-American students an opportunity to showcase their heritage."

Other reasons for excitement this year, said Booker, are the addition of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which joined the established Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity as chapters of historically black Greek-letter organizations at SRU; and the Black Action Society taking their annual cultural immersion trip to Memphis. While in Memphis, the group of up to 50 SRU students will visit a variety of cultural sites including a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum, which is at the site of the Lorraine Motel where King was assassinated in 1968.

Black History Month events include:

• Meet the National Pan-Hellenic Council Greeks: 6 p.m., Feb. 1, Smith Student Center, Ballroom A.
• SRU Dance Theatre Winter Dance Concert, "Rise": 2 and 6 p.m., Feb. 2, Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.
• Black History Month Kickoff: 5 p.m., Feb. 4, SSC Ballroom, hosted by the OIE with refreshments, music performances and other entertainment.
• Community Café: 5 p.m., Feb. 6, Weisenfluh Dining Hall, hosted by the Slippery Rock Student Government Association and the SRU President's Office. Discussions will address the question, "What would SRU be as a more racially diverse community?" Register for the event on CORE.
• Black History Month "Jeopardy!": 12:30 p.m., Feb. 7, SSC, Room 325, hosted by the Student Union for Multicultural Affairs.
• Black Mirror: A Discussion on Black Masculinity: 5 p.m., Feb. 8, SSC, Room 319, hosted by KINGS Org. and Alpha Phi Alpha.
• SGA Movie Series presents "Green Book:" 8 p.m., Feb. 8 and 9; 7 p.m., Feb. 10, SSC Theater.
• The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Founders Day Celebration, 12:30 p.m., Feb. 12, SSC, Room 323, hosted by the NAACP chapter at SRU.
• "The Hate U Give" movie and discussion: 5 p.m., Feb. 12, SSC Theater, hosted by Phi Alpha Theta.
• Dating with a Twist: 5 p.m., Feb. 14, SSC, Room 323, hosted by the NAACP with a discussion about the expectations that American society places on dating and relationships.
• SGA Movie Series presents "BlacKkKlansman:" 6 p.m., Feb. 15; 8 p.m., Feb. 16; 7 p.m., Feb. 17, SSC Theater.
• Higher Learning: 5:30 p.m., Feb. 17, SSC Ballroom, hosted by BAS with a motivational speech by Devantae Butler on reaching new dreams.
• Wild 'n' Out comedy show, SRU edition: 6 p.m., Feb. 18, SSC Ballroom, hosted by BAS.
• King's Dream and Beyond panel discussion: 12:30 p.m., Feb. 19, SSC Theater, hosted by the SRU History Department.
• A Conversation with Keke Palmer, actress, singer/songwriter: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 19, hosted by the University Program Board, OIE, the Frederick Douglass Institute and the Gender Studies program.
• Flexing in My Complexion: 6 p.m., Feb. 20, Eisenberg Classroom Building, Room 111, hosted by BAS with a discussion about how American society views African-Americans will different skin complexions.
• The Evolution of Music from 1970s to Now: 5 p.m., Feb. 21, SSC, Room 323, hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi.
• PNC Bank Prize Wheel: 12:30 p.m., Feb. 21, SSC lobby.
• SGA Movie Series presents "Creed II:" 8 p.m., Feb. 22 and 23; 7 p.m., Feb. 24, SSC Theater.
• Cultural Immersion Trip to Memphis, Tennessee: Feb. 21-24 hosted by BAS.
• A Space of their Own: The African-American Gardening Tradition: 5 p.m., Feb. 25, Macoskey Center, hosted by OIE, the History Department and the Macoskey Center.
• Ebony Ball: 6 p.m., Feb. 26, SSC Ballroom, hosted by BAS with dinner, dancing, an awards ceremony and a live music by the Bill Henry Band.
• Trailblazers of Yesterday and Today: 5 p.m., Feb. 27, at Vincent Science Center, Room 102, a discussion hosted by Queens Org.
• Soul Food Tasting: 5 p.m., Feb. 28, SSC Theater, hosted by OIE and the Black Faculty and Staff Association.

For more information about Black History Month events, contact the OIE at: 724.738.2700 or oie@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu