Black History month begins today, and The University of Memphis’ Black Student Association’s Black History Month chairman, Creston Lynch, said he is ready to begin the month’s events.
Lynch said though the month is packed with events, he is especially anticipating two particular lectures.
On Feb. 6, Na’im Akbar will speak at 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Theatre. Sister Souljah will speak at the theatre at 7 p.m. on the 20th.
“I’m especially excited about the lectures from two internationally known political figures and authors,” Lynch said.
The senior communications major has served as membership chair and executive counsel chair with the BSA. Lynch said that he and his committee put a lot of planning and effort into this month’s project.
“Our committee has been meeting since late August,” Lynch said. “It’s important for the BSA to serve the interest of black students and provide a place for all students to learn about the history of our culture.”
The month’s theme, “United we stand, never to fall,” has special meaning in planning for February, Lynch said. The planning committee wanted to provide some means for unification in the wake of the tragedies on Sept. 11, according to Lynch.
The committee organized its first unity mixer for Black History Month, to be held Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. at Rose Theatre. Lynch said the mixer should be a good way to meet new people.
“The committee felt it was important for the campus to have a forum to unify students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds,” Lynch said.
Tomorrow’s opening ceremony, held at 7 p.m. at the Rose Theatre will honor David Acey, the founder and first president of The U of M BSA.
The former Tiger, who also founded the Memphis-wide tradition “Africa in April,” is an associate professor in the College of Communication and Fine Arts here at The U of M.
Present BSA president Misty Blaton said she is an admirer of Acey’s. The senior communications major also expressed how important a role the BSA has in the lives of The U of M’s black population.
“A lot of the courses don’t reinforce the magnificence of our history,” Blaton said. “(BSA programming) should give black students a greater appreciation for themselves and for being (in college).”
“It’s part of the BSA’s mission to be in the forefront of bringing students the black experience,” Blaton said.
The BSA will either sponsor or co-sponsor Black History Month events on 22 of the 28 days in February.
