Black History Month on campus will focus on the history of African-American culture and civil rights, but it will also illuminate the work University students have done on campus, including a pageant, a poetry open mic night and panel discussions. 
The Mister and Miss Imani Pageant: “A Walk in Their Shoes…” will begin the month-long celebration of BHM. The pageant, as the first event of the month, will exemplify the theme of showcasing student work. 
LaKeitha Poole, coordinator for African-American Student Affairs, said while most pageants seem to showcase attractive people displaying talents on a stage, the Imani Pageant will showcase 14 outstanding African-American                                                                University students.
The selection of the contestants is based on a GPA requirement and an interview process to weed out the participants to seven men and seven women. The pageant members compete for scholarships, Poole said. 
While the month’s events are focused on the history of African-American culture, this year’s events will illuminate new ideas for University students, Poole said. LSU Libraries will host a film series throughout the month rooted in African-American history. 
“The events during BHM are for students to learn more about the students they are surrounded by, and hopefully they can learn and leave knowing something more about this campus,” Poole said. 
A series of films will provide entertainment during the celebration, and a series of three lectures will touch on various issues during the BHM celebrations. The first lecture titled “The Resiliency of Underrepresented College Students” will encourage students to ask the speaker, Danielle Alsandor, any questions about the issue, Poole said. 
Allan Purcell, graduate assistant in African-American Student Affairs, said the lecture series is a way to evolve the approach of learning African-American history on campus during Black History Month.
“While in 2014, the issue of civil rights is very different from in the past, we still need to remember and learn from the past to not repeat the same mistakes,” Purcell said.  
“The events during BHM are for students to learn more about the students they are surrounding by, and hopefully they can learn and leave knowing something more about this campus.”
Mister and Miss Imani Pageant: “A Walk in Their Shoes…”
Tues, Feb 4
LSU Union Theatre, 7 p.m.
Blacks in Academia Lecture Series: “The Resiliency of Underrepresented College Students”
Wed, Feb 5
LSU Honors College: French House Grand Salon, noon
LSU Libraries Film Series: “Freedom Riders”
Wed, Feb 5
11:00 AM – Baton Rouge Community College – Magnolia Theater
6:30 PM – Southern University – John B. Cade Library, 2nd Floor, Classroom #1
Blacks in Academia Lecture Series: “Journey to the Graduate Degree: A Panel Discussion”
Wed, Feb 12
LSU Honors College: French House Grand Salon, 12 p.m.
Sankofa Poetry & Open Mic Night: “Forever Royalty”
Thurs, Feb 13
LSU African American Cultural Center, 6 p.m.