USI to host February events to honor Black History Month

The University of Southern Indiana is hosting a variety of events and activities in February to honor Black History Month. The month will include a debate, Black History film showing and more.   

Events include: 

True Black History Museum
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, February 2, Rice Library 0018 

The True Black History Museum is a traveling museum that teaches true Black history using rare and authentic artifacts. It is committed to preserving the history of African Americans, teaching individuals about the many great contributions that African Americans have made throughout history. 

The exhibit, entitled, "A Tribute to the African American Journey," takes visitors on a journey through the African American experience. Artifacts in the collection range from the many great African civilizations, the slave trade, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights/Black Power movement and the modern day. The collection celebrates and highlights the contributions of African Americans in the arts, sciences, sports, entertainment, education and politics.

The public is able to view the True Black History Museum at no charge. 

Black History Month Debate
5 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, University Center East 226-227 

The USI Multicultural Center will host its 6th annual Debate. This event will allow for open discussion on topics related to Black History. It is open to the USI community, and refreshments will be served. 

Black History Film Showing – Is That Black Enough For You?!?
5 p.m. Monday, February 12, Wright Administration 1 

This documentary examines African American contributions to film and pop culture. It provides insight into the history of Black representation from the earliest days of cinema and the cultural impact of witnessing unapologetic Blackness. The film features commentary from Harry Belafonte, Samuel L. Jackson, Laurence Fishburne, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Zendaya and more. This event is open to the public at no charge. 

Runtime: Two hours and 15 minutes (Rated R for nudity, some sexual content, language, violence and drug material) 

Taste of Film: The Princess and the Frog
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, Carter Hall D (located in University Center West) 

The USI Black Student Union and Activities Programming Board are partnering to host a Taste of Film event, featuring a showing of The Princess and the Frog. Beignets and gumbo will be served to the campus community. This event is open to USI students.

Oratorical Competition
5 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, University Center East 226-227 

The USI Multicultural Center will host the 6th annual Oratorical Competition. USI participants are asked to prepare speeches between three minutes and 30 seconds and five minutes and 30 seconds in length. This event is open to the public at no charge. 

Soul Food Cooking Class
5 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, UC 2217-2218 (located in University Center East) 

The USI Multicultural Center and Student Government Association are collaborating to host a Soul Food Cooking Class featuring Chef Gregory with Sodexo, USI’s food service partner. This event is only open to USI students. Registration can be done through EagleSync. 

Black Student Union Gala 
6 p.m. Friday, February 23, Griffin Center 

The Black Student Union (BSU) will host its annual Gala. This year’s theme is a Masquerade Ball. The Gala is open to the USI campus community.

For questions regarding Black History Month events, contact Deonte Turnley, Program Advisor for the USI Multicultural Center, at doturnley@usi.edu or 812-465-7032. A full list of events and details can be found on the USI Multicultural Center webpage.