Black History Month celebration to feature speakers, documentary

Northwest Missouri State University’s commemoration of Black History Month will feature speakers and a film screening during the month of February.

Black History Month, which is celebrated annually in February, gives people the opportunity to share, understand and commemorate the impacts of African American heritage and culture.  

The nationwide theme for Black History Month in 2022 is “Black Health and Wellness” in recognition of Black scholars and medical practitioners throughout the African Diaspora. The theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.

Black History Month was founded as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson with the goal of educating Blacks about their cultural background and instilling a sense of pride in their race. Since 1976, Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States. 

A complete list of Black History Month activities at Northwest is provided below. All activities are free and open to the public.

For more information about Black History Month activities at Northwest, contact Mallett at jmallett@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1517. 

Lecture: Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3; Charles Johnson Theater, Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building

Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is a New York Times best-selling author and chair of Princeton University’s Department of African American Studies. One of the nation’s most prominent scholars, he also is political commentator, appearing as a columnist for Time magazine and on programs such as “Morning Joe,” “Deadline: White House” and “Meet the Press.” As a passionate educator, he examines the complex dynamics of the American experience and discusses ideas of “Blackness” and being an “Ally.”

Movie: “The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital”

6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16; J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom

The documentary details the rise and fall of the St. Louis, Missouri, hospital that, at one point, trained the largest number of Black doctors and nurses in the world. It chronicles the history of the medical training of African American doctors and nurses before and after desegregation, including Dr. Earle U. Robinson Jr., a second-generation physician and alumnus of Homer G. Phillips Hospital who shares his personal story as the son of one of the prestigious hospital’s first 27 Black graduates. Recollections of the hospital’s beginnings in 1937 to its closing in 1979 are heard from physicians, nurses and patients, along with community activists and leaders expressing the significant contributions of Homer G. Phillips Hospital.    

Black Student Union Spirit Week

Monday, Feb. 21, through Friday, Feb. 25

The campus community is invited to join the Black Student Union for Black History Month Spirit Week featuring a variety of activities.

• Monday, Feb. 21: Show Your Hair-itage. People are encouraged to wear their natural hair and receive hair care tips from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• Tuesday, Feb. 22: Top Tier Tuesday. The campus community is invited to “dress to impress.”
• Wednesday, Feb. 23: What’s the Word Wednesday. All are invited to participate in a pop culture-themed scavenger hunt any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., beginning in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Student Union. Prizes will be awarded.
• Thursday, Feb. 24: Throwback Thursday. Join the Black Student Union at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Student Union for games.
• Friday, Feb. 25: For the People Friday. The campus community is invited to wear all black to show solitude for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lecture: Dr. Mercy Dickson

7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23; J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom

Dr. Mercy Dickson will discuss health care and its effects on people of color. Dickson is an emergency medicine physician with Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, who is passionate about inclusion, diversity, non-oppressive practices and health. She was co-director of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the Department of Emergency Medicine during her final year of residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She completed her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch as well as a Master of Business Administration at University of Houston-Victoria.

Minority Men’s Organization: “The Black Experience”

6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28; J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom

Join the Men’s Minority Organization for a panel discussion involving Northwest students and faculty discussing their experiences.