Utah Tech University will celebrate Black History Month with events and activities throughout February.
The Center for Inclusion and Belonging clubs like the Multicultural Inclusion Student Association and Black Student Union will be hosting events in celebration of the month.
Black Student Union president Nia Malone, a senior criminal justice major from Oceanside, California, said, “We celebrate African-American and Black history, and the culture that has arisen from the beginning to the end and hopefully it never ends.”
Black History Month is about keeping the culture, stories and contributions of African-American and Black ancestors in remembrance during this time.
Nia Malone said: “Using our [Instagram] accounts, we want people to know what we do, why we do it, to come out and have fun. We are here for that helping hand. We are here to lend questions if anyone has any.”
Not only is February Black History Month, but it is also a time to celebrate inclusivity.
Vice president of activities for the multicultural student association Nahjae Malone, a senior sociology major from Oceanside, California, said, “We include everybody and anybody for who they are and what they do.”
Nahjae Malone said MISA wants to promote inclusion and mental health while learning about Black history during this month.
Utah Tech students can celebrate Black History Month by participating in the activities on campus and learn more about Black history. Spreading awareness on social media is also a way for students to teach each other about what Black History Month is and what it represents.
Mike Nelson, director of the Center for Inclusion and Belonging, said: “Become aware of the issues that our Black students are facing in the community and throughout the country. Allyship is super important.”
Recognizing the struggles that African-American and Black students have faced now and in the past and learning ways to continue to have an allyship are one of the many ways students can recognize and participate in Black History Month.
“We want to highlight those student stories and share the student experience,” Nelson said.
Sharing experiences with other students opens up ways to learn about real struggles and how to become an ally.
Throughout the month of February, multiple organizations on campus will be hosting events to celebrate Black History Month. Some of the activities include:
Feb. 10 – Movie screening at Pineview Theater
Feb. 14 – Poetry slam in the Gardner Student Center Ballroom from 7 p.m to 9 p.m
Feb. 17- Movie night with LGBTQSO 4 p.m to 6 p.m location TBA
Feb. 23 – Black History Month Gala from 6 p.m to 9 p.m in the Gardner ballroom.
The poetry slam was a very popular event last year and gives students the chance to recite original or favorite poems. This event promotes student authors and encourages students to express themselves. Prizes will be given out to winners.
Utah Tech faculty and staff also are supporting in many ways. Faculty are involved in multiple events one being the poetry slam. The English department and communication department will be judges for the event.
Utah Tech will also be providing hair barbers and stylists specializing in Black and African-American hair in February.
“There aren’t many [hair stylists] and if any here in Southern Utah,” Nelson said. “Being able to bring a non-profit to help service those students is really important.”
Nelson said that African-American and Black students have resulted in doing their hair at home or even traveling to Las Vegas or other far cities to style and cut hair.
The non-profit organization is Clip Dart, and they will be coming to Utah Tech in February. Having this non-profit come will help students feel a sense of belonging at Utah Tech with the hope that Clip Dart comes annually.
The Utah Tech library will also be displaying culturally relevant books during the various heritage and history months. Having the access to books about Black culture and learning more about Black culture is beneficial for students. The books are out to display with easy access by popular spots in the library.
Many more events will be held throughout the month to celebrate Black History Month and will be posted weekly around campus and on social media. Events are also partnered with other clubs on campus to celebrate inclusivity and allyship throughout campus.
The events being held are for everyone to join and participate in. The activities have a lot to offer to all students and are meant to be inclusive to everyone.
