PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (February 3, 2020) – Prairie View A&M University is hosting a robust celebration of events, including lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, and performances, as part of Black History Month. The theme for the month coincides with the national theme, “African Americans and the Vote.”

“PV is such a special place in terms of its history. We tread hallowed grounds, and what we do here this month through our programs is but a small measure of respect, in the overall scheme, yet important because of the effect they can have on our young students. Every time we set foot on this campus, we are walking in footsteps of greatness. It is imperative that we make that known for the benefit of us all as a message of inspiration and hope,” said Michael Hurd, director of the Texas Institute for the Preservation of History and Culture (TIPHC), who is sponsoring the TIPHC’s exhibit, “Legal Steps to African American Freedom,” from February to the beginning of March.

Popular returning Black History Month events at PVAMU include the annual Royce West Forum, where attendees this year will hear from practitioners, care providers, law enforcement, and lawmakers on what is “just” in the treatment of minors in the system; the 4th annual Art as Activism Lecture Series; the 6th Annual Essay and Oratory Contest Showcase, and two days of genealogy researching programs in the John B. Coleman Library.

“African Americans have a rich, ranging, and revolutionary history in the United States, and African American History Month 2020 at Prairie View A&M University celebrates the lives of many DNAs,” said Academic Reference and Instruction Librarian Kimberly M. Gay. “Through genealogy researching, scholars learn to recognize the many spectrums within collecting family pedigrees and heredity documents to help identify their roots. Let us continue to embrace, learn, and advance the retentions and creations of the rich Africana culture and history.”

Events begin on Feb. 3 and wrap up on Feb. 28.

Feb. 3-5 (Various Locations)
62nd Session of the Annual Ministers’ Conference, presented by the Johnson-Phillip All Faiths Chapel

Feb. 4-March 6 (Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building)
TIPHC Exhibit: “Legal Steps to African American Freedom,” presented in The Culture Center Gallery

Feb. 5 (Northwest Houston Center) – 5:30 p.m.
Screening of the Movie “I Am Not Your Negro”

Feb. 5 (Julius Becton Auditorium, A.I. Thomas Administration Building) – 6 p.m.
African Americans and the Vote, with Judge Erica Hughes

Feb. 6 (Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, MSC) – 6 p.m.
Screening of the Movie “Selma,” presented by the Office of Marketing and Communications

Feb. 7 (Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, MSC) – Noon
Screening of the Movie “Harriet”

Feb. 10 (Student Lounge, MSC) – 7 p.m.
Open Mic Night

Feb. 11 (John B. Coleman Library) – 2 p.m.
African American Doctors’ Contributions to Medicine and Science Past & Present

Feb. 11 (Northwest Houston Center) – 5:30 p.m.
Performance by Melissa Waddy Thibodeaux, “The Resurrection of Harriet Tubman for Literacy,” presented by the John B. Coleman Library and The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Feb. 11 (Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, MSC) – 7 p.m.
Performance of Step Afrika, presented by the Office Student Engagement

Feb. 11-12 (Don K. Clark Auditorium, COJJP Building)
The Royce West Forum 2020

Feb. 13 (Samuel Metters Auditorium, Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building) – 3 p.m.
Screening of the Documentary, “The Voter Suppression Playbook”

Feb. 13 (Northwest Houston Center) – 5:30 p.m.
Screening of the Film, “Freedom’s Song”

Feb. 17 (Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building) – 2 p.m.
Why We Must Vote: The Impact of Art and Social Movements

Feb. 18 (Ballroom, MSC) – Noon
Reenactment by Melissa Waddy Thibodeaux, “Harriet Tubman,” presented by the John B. Coleman Library and The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Feb. 18 (Student Lounge, MSC) – Noon
Guess Who, presented by Disabilities Services

Feb. 19 (Don K. Clark Auditorium, COJJP Building) – 6:30 p.m.
Malcolm X: What By Any Means Necessary?

Feb. 20 (Northwest Houston Center) – 5:30 p.m.
Screening of the Film, “Freedom Summer”

Feb. 20 (Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, MSC) – 6 p.m.
Screening of the Movie “13th,” presented by the Office of Marketing and Communications

Feb. 24 (John B. Coleman Library) – 6 p.m.
Researching Genealogy Skills after Dark, presented by Librarian Kimberly M. Gay

Feb. 25 (John B. Coleman Library) – Noon
The Genealogy History of PVAMU, from Colonel Jared E. Kirby to President Ruth J. Simmons, presented by Librarian Kimberly M. Gay

Feb. 25 (John B. Coleman Library) – 2 p.m.
African American Doctors’ Contributions to Medicine and Science Past & Present

Feb. 25 (H.E. Anderson Recital Hall, Hobart Taylor Building) – 2 p.m.
Songs of the Civil Rights Period, presented by the Department of Music and Theatre

Feb. 25 (Don K. Clark Auditorium, COJJP Building) – 5:30 p.m.
Black Entrepreneurs of International Travel, presented by the Office of International Programs

Feb. 25 (Julius Becton Auditorium, A.I. Thomas Administration Building) – 6 p.m.
The Power of the Young Black Votes, featuring Priscilla Barbour

Feb. 26 (Don K. Clark Auditorium, COJJP Building) – 6 p.m.
6th Annual Essay and Oratory Contest Showcase

Feb. 28 (Houston) – 10 a.m.
Tour of The African American Library at the Gregory School, sponsored by Librarian Kimberly M. Gay

 

According to History.com, Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

“A month is not long enough to celebrate the history and the progress of African Americans, but in this month, on this campus of Prairie View A&M University, we will pay homage to our ancestors,” said Provost Emerita and Whitlowe R. Green College of Education Professor Dr. E. Joahanne Thomas-Smith.

For special assistance with disabilities with any of the events listed above, call (936) 261-3585. Events, dates, and times are subject to change.

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