Ceremony brings Black History Month to a close
With 27 days full of programs to promote Black History, the month came to a culmination Thursday night in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom with a special ceremony.
The ceremony centered on the theme for Black History Month, “Remembering the Past…Shaping Our Future.” Students performed dances, dramatic interpretations and poems to encourage all to remember the past and strive for the future.
“This program was at the end to let attendees sit back and let them reflect on the many accomplishments of African-Americans,” said Brandon Smith, assistant student coordinator of Black History Month.
Focusing on the theme of the month, past role models were remembered such as Crispus Atticus, the Arkansas Nine and Rosa Parks. Besides the past, Traneisha Y. Jones of Scotlandville Magnet High represented the future as she read an essay written on the theme.
“[The program] showed various aspects of black history,” said Lakeya Jones, week-four chairperson. “It showed things besides the norm. It reflected history as a culture.”
This year was the first year that students were directly involved in the planning and coordination of all programs. LSU and Southern students worked together to cut across the community and show a sign of unity.
“The fact that LSU and SU students worked hand in hand proves we can work across the community,” said Katrice Albert, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and adviser to the Black History Month committee. “We did the work of chancellors at both universities who vowed to work together.”
With the month ending, the audience watched a slide show presentation of the past events. This helped everyone to see just what occurred regardless if they were present at all of the events.
“Everyone got a piece of Black History Month,” said Melody Robinson, student coordinator of the Black History Month committee.
Robinson also remarked that in preparation for next year the committee will try to involve the community more.
“LSU is the center of this community and as a part of the community we should be doing more for them,” Robinson said.
Albert said that the committee did a fabulous job, and they were very “planful and thoughtful” in all that they did.
“They really did their homework,” Albert said. “They worked diligently to produce programs that their constituents wanted to see during Black History Month.”
To improve Black History Month next year, the committee believes more student involvement and bigger programs are needed.
“It will enhance the program if we had more men and women power,” Albert said.
Black History Month will end this week with a quiz bowl Thursday night and a poetry slam Friday.
Samantha Sieber