Black History Month Takes the Spotlight
Announcer:	The Missouri State Journal, a weekly program keeping you in touch with Missouri State University.
Emily Yeap:	Historian and scholar, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, is credited for setting the foundation for what we now know as National Black History Month, observed each February. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week to bring national attention to the contributions of black Americans throughout history. Then, in 1976, during the American Bicentennial celebration, President Gerald Ford formally established Black History Month.
	I'm Emily Yeap. Yvania Garcia-Pusateri, Executive Director of Multicultural Programs at Missouri State University, provides more insight about Black History month and how it will be celebrated on campus this year.
Yvania Garcia-Pusateri:	Basically what we're trying to do is celebrate blackness, celebrate identities within this community, celebrate the histories of this community and what has been connected to our own American history. I think sometimes when we celebrate these months we forget that they are actually a part of American history and given what has been going on in this country, I think the celebration of identity and self is very important. It keeps us moving forward to this globalized society, this idea that community is better, difference is good.
Emily Yeap:	Several events ranging from lectures to workshops and musical performances will take place throughout the month not only to celebrate the accomplishments and culture of the black community, but also to explore issues relating to multiculturalism, social justice and equality.
Yvania Garcia-Pusateri:	Our month is to celebrate and to educate but also engage. I think it brings people to the table. It brings people to the spaces where these important conversations are taking place.
	Culture identity is a thing to be celebrated but it's also something for people that have difficulty talking about just because there has been lack of education. There has been lack of experience. But I think these events have been created in a way that it's a space for people to come and learn and to engage one another and to celebrate. I think what's important is that we're not just stopping there at celebrating but we're asking some critical questions. Some of our events will be focused on being black and the black community, but what's important is that we're talking about intersectionality within the black community and what that looks like. So we'll be talking about Black Lives Matter and kind of queer identities within the movement and how sometimes those identities are silenced or they are not present when we're talking about being black and I think that's important that we do bring that up in talking about that these months are not just about celebrating one dimensional identities but multiple identities and really thinking about intersectionality.
Emily Yeap:	The keynote presentation will feature Ben Sanders III from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Nia Morgan, Graduate Assistant of Multicultural Programs, shares more details.
Nia Morgan:	He will be talking about a couple of variety of topics. One topic he will discuss is Black Lives Matter and Faith. He will also discuss the legal system, as well as faith-based racism. These are both topics that he has been conducting his own personal research on so we are really excited to have him come out here and talk with our students about this.
Emily Yeap:	Morgan encourages the campus and Springfield community to join in the celebration and embrace diversity.
Nia Morgan:	Black History Month is not just important for our country as a whole to celebrate but it is important for our students to learn about the contributions that black people have been making for years. Attending our events will help educate those who haven't had the opportunity to learn about these topics or haven't taken the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones to learn more about black history and more about contributions that we as a culture and as a group of people have made.
Emily Yeap:	Garcia-Pusateri said including the community in such an event is essential for MSU to share its Public Affairs mission.
Yvania Garcia-Pusateri:	With Missouri State being in a central part of Springfield, it shows the commitment that it has to the black community to celebrate these things, not only the history but as Nia was saying, the contributions that have been going back so many years that you know a lot of our young people did not learn about in their history classes and I think given Springfield and the families here, I think it's important that they engage in this. That their young children engage in this history that they may not get in their schools. So I think with Missouri State having such a presence in Springfield having these type of events especially Black History Month is going to demonstrate kind of this global infusion that is happening in Springfield. It may be slow, but it's happening and I'm very happy that Missouri State is part of that.
Emily Yeap:	All events are free and most of them are open to the public. For more information about Black History Month at Missouri State, visit missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms.
	I'm Emily Yeap, for the Missouri State Journal.
Announcer:	For more information, contact the Office of University Communications at 417-836-6397. The Missouri State Journal is available online at ksmu.org.