BY YESENIA RIVERA
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Every year, the month of February is welcomed by clusters of gushing ladies eagerly expectant of Valentine‘s Day, and the men who feel the pressure of the holiday. However, February is more than a month of chocolate candies and heart-shaped cards flying off store shelves. For the next four weeks, the nation recognizes the importance of Black heritage in America through Black History Month.
This acknowledgment has been around since 1926, when it was first known as “Negro History Week”. At the time, black history had barely begun to be documented or even studied.

The celebration of Black History Month and the study of Black history are owed to the notable Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was a man who knew that through education, there could be progress for the Black community. He earned his Ph.D at Harvard and in his studies, the young scholar was quite affronted and conflicted as to why the majority of history books ignored the Black-American population.

Woodson was the first to establish any kind of organization that showed appreciation for Black history; it was named The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which later was changed to The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. A year later he founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History, which began opening the nation‘s eyes as to the true history behind the Black community.

1926 was the year that he launched “Negro History Week” and brought national attention to the numerous contributions of Black people throughout American history. The second week of February was chosen for “Negro History Week” because Woodson saw that it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln; two men that Woodson felt contributed and greatly influenced the Black-American population. 84 years later, the nation continues to relive the feats and trials of the Black community through February and keeping alive the memory of Dr. Woodson`s goals.

Saint Leo University is commemorating Black History Month through a series of events which will be scheduled throughout the month. On Monday February 1, The School of Arts and Sciences presented a discussion panel with faculty members from the History Department. This was open to the public and discussed the many events and people that contributed to Black-American history. That same night, there was a Black History Month movie extravaganza in Crawford Hall which showcased movies about or pertaining to Black heritage.

On Thursday February 4, Selby Auditorium hosted another movie night in respect to the month. The movie presented stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Monday February 8 was the beginning of the Black History Expo in the SCC Lobby and runs till February 26. The expo plans to educate students by depicting the stories of black figures throughout history. Thursday, Feb. 11 shows the second episode of the expo, and it is celebrating Black achievements in the Arts & Sciences through a poster exhibit outside of the SCC boardrooms.

Saint Leo students also feel and understand the impact that Black History Month has had on America.
“I like how we have a month set aside for everyone to recognize the famous African-Americans in history that have paved the way for others, “said junior Julian Jean-Pierre.

The rest of SLU‘s Black History Month events are listed below:
February 16th: Keynote Speaker Valada Flewellyn-Poet, Author and Historian. SCC Boardrooms at 7 p.m.
February 19: The Harbor Institute presents: “The Miseducation of the Black Greek,” Marmion Center at 3:00PM
February 26: End of the Black History Expo

All faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to partake in the celebration and recognition of this noteworthy month.