The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) annual celebration of Black History Month throughout February will mark the important achievements by black Americans, and the central role of African Americans in U.S. and Southern Miss history.
Events on the Hattiesburg campus that feature educational, entertainment and recreational components are among the following:
Feb. 7 – Comedy show featuring Rita Brent, Thad Cochran Center Ballroom 2, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 – Eagle Awards, Joe Paul Theater (in the Thad Cochran Center), 6 p.m.
Feb. 11 – NAACP “Family Feud,” Seymour’s, 6 p.m.
Feb. 12 – “Tunes with GC,” Shoemaker Square Fountain, noon – 1 p.m.; Southern Miss Activity Council (SMAC) presents “Harriet,” Joe Paul Theater, 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 – “Divided and Directionless: Conflict Within Hattiesburg’s Civil Rights,” Liberal Arts Building, room 101, 6 p.m.
Feb. 18 – Soul Food Luncheon, Fresh Food Company, noon; The Murder of Emmett Till, presented by Dave Tell, Thad Cochran Center, room 218, 6 p.m.
Feb. 20 – Black History Panel Workshop, Thad Cochran Center, room 216, noon – 1 p.m.; African American Student Organization presents “Cultural Legends Ball,” Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms, 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 – “Strategies for Success in Graduate School,” Thad Cochran Center, room 216, noon – 1 p.m.
“Our goal for Black History Month programming is to bring awareness to all students, faculty, staff and community members of the strides African American leaders have made in our city, state and country,” said Valencia Walls, coordinator for USM’s Office of Multicultural Programs and Services and USM’s Black History Month programming. “We hope knowing and understanding the sacrifices others have made for our freedom will instill pride, and in turn help us to be better stewards of the privileges we have attained.”
For more information or questions about Black History Month events at USM, contact Walls at valencia.walls@usm.edu.