USM Black History Month 2021 Programming Begins Feb. 5

Tue, 02/02/2021 - 10:15am | By: David Tisdale

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs has assembled a robust lineup of activities to mark Black History Month, with the goal of celebrating and recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout the history of our country. The theme for this year’s programming is “The Black Effect.” 

Black History Month activities at USM include the following: 

Feb. 5: Drive-in movie 

*Host: Southern Miss Activities Council 
*Time: 7 p.m. 
*Location: Payne Center Parking Lot 
*Program summary: The Southern Miss Activities Council will be showing “42.” “42” is a 2013 American biographical sports film about baseball player Jackie Robinson, the first Black athlete to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the modern era. 

Feb. 8: “Let’s Talk Curlz” 

*Host: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc- Lambda Theta Chapter  
*Time: 6:20 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID: 927 1258 3325 
*Program Summary: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc- Lambda Theta chapter explores the history of hair through healthy hair discussion and demonstration.  

Feb. 10: “For Us by Us: The Black Business Fair” 

*Host: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Theta Eta Chapter  
*Time: 12-1:30 p.m. 
*Location: //Instagram: @usmsigmas  
*Program summary: This online program will highlight Black business, and encourage students to support African American entrepreneurs.   

Feb. 17: “Cultural Legends Ball” 

*Host: Afro-American Student Organization 
*Time: 6:30 p.m. 
*Zoom Meeting ID: 981 1423 2337  
*Program summary: This event celebrates the rich culture of African Americans ranging from the Harlem Renaissance to new age Hip-hop and R & B.   

Feb. 18: “Black Excellence is my Excellence” 

*Host: NAACP 
*Time: 6 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID: 959 7660 2467  
*Program summary: This program will address the importance of networking and community in the African American community.   

Feb. 18: “Strategies for Success in Graduate School” 

*Host: Graduate School and McNair Scholars Program 
*Time: 12-1 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID: 978 2614 3969  Passcode: 30906201  
*Program Summary: This will be a virtual panel consisting of faculty and graduate students providing information and answering questions to prepare minority students for success in graduate school. 

Feb. 21: “Take it to Church” 

*Host: Men of Excellence and Emerge Church 
*Time: 1 p.m. 
*Facebook Live- https://www.facebook.com/883228085036281/ 
*Program Summary: The Men of Excellence will be "taking it to Church" Feb. 21. We will partner with The Emerge Church for Sunday Service at 1 p.m. Please join via Facebook to worship, praise, and be blessed. 

Feb. 24: “Ending Rape Culture & Sexual Violence in the Black Community: A Student Leader Panel Discussion” 

*Host: Sexual Assault Prevention Ambassadors 
*Time: 6 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID 925 2364 0055; Passcode: usm.sapa  
*Program Summary: This program will focus on topics relevant to sexual assault that uniquely impacts the NPHC community. These topics range from bystander intervention strategies, consent, hookup culture, false narratives on Black masculinity, the Jezebel stereotype, etc. 

Feb. 23: “Former Black Student Leader Panel” 

*Host: Office of Leadership and Student Involvement 
*Event details can be found at  www.usm.edu/lsi 
*Program summary: This event features former black student leaders from Southern Miss to share experiences and tips regarding success as a Black student with current students on campus. 

Feb. 25: “The Graduate School Journey: The Students’ Perspective” 

*Host: Graduate School and McNair Scholar’s Program 
*Time: 12-1 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID: 965 3671 3661, Passcode: 12033326 *Program Summary: A panel of Black graduate students will discuss their experiences for an audience of undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate degrees. 

Feb. 25: “Women in Power” 

*Host: Women’s Empowerment Association 
*Time: 6 p.m. 
*Zoom Meeting ID: 962 6732 5705, Passcode: 40422879   
*Program summary: This program will highlight inspirational women in the Hattiesburg community. Join us as we discuss their journey to achievement.  

Feb. 28: Southern Miss Eagle Awards: A Celebration of Black Culture  

*Host: Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement  
*Time: 6 p.m. 
*Zoom meeting ID: 712 4326 9976  
*Program summary: This program highlights achievements of African American students and organizations at the University. 

For more information about Black History Month at USM, contact the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement at imeFREEMississippi.