Africana Studies Leadership Council is hosting its second annual Black History Month program, which has a new name but the same purpose to showcase black culture.
ForTheCulture Celebration, formerly known as Celebrating Consciousness, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Wilson C. Morris Science Building, Room 299.
Raven Alade, president of ASLC, along with her executive board are finalizing details for the event.
“There will be a keynote speaker and an amazing surprise introduction, also UCM talents as well as people from other areas such as Kansas City,” Alade said.
ForTheCulture Celebration is designed to showcase African and African-Americans through spoken word, music, dance, instrumental composition, and a call to action to keep the movement of fighting for social justice alive.
ForTheCulture Celebration was created by the former ASLC president, Arissa Calvert, in February 2017.
“She noticed how there were not many Black History Month programs showcasing throughout the month of February last year,” Alade said. “That was a problem because at one time in history people who looked like us would not be able to walk on the grounds of colleges and universities, so it is a call for action to continue the fight that our ancestors before us fought on a daily basis.”
Alade said African and African-American culture are many times thought to be the same and this event will showcase the different variations of the cultures.
Bethel Ezezew, junior majoring in social work, attended the event last year.
“I got to see different acts of talents come together and celebrate. It was really nice,” Ezezew said.
Ezezew said ForTheCulture Celebration brings the black community of UCM together and uplifts the students and the culture.
Alade said being black in this world isn’t easy.
“We live in a society that constantly devalues black culture, so we want to exemplify and showcase our value,” Alade said.
Ezezew said since UCM is a predominantly white institution there are not many events like this that showcase black culture.
“It felt really nice being surrounded by other black people and seeing their talents last year, so I’m hoping that this year will be just as good,” Ezezew said.
ForTheCulture Celebration is free and open to all faculty, staff and students at UCM.
“People should come because it will be an amazing way to become uplifted and end Black History Month the right way,” Alade said.