Centenary celebrates Black History Month in February
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College will mark Black History Month in February 2022 with a calendar of events that includes a film night, a scholarly lecture, and an open discussion on systemic racism and prejudice. Students have taken the initiative to organize and promote many of the month’s events, led by the members of the College’s Black Student Union.
"The Black Student Union was very intentional when putting together these events for Black History Month,” said Markiese Boykin, president of the Black Student Union. “We generated specific events that would focus on themes of education, awareness, and student engagement. Trivia Night for example, is a fun way to kick off Black History Month by getting students excited to learn interesting facts and have a chance to win prizes. We invited historian Edmond Davis as a convocation speaker after he was recommended to us by recently tenured faculty member Dr. Andia Augustin-Billy and asked that his presentation topic feature people who are not given the spotlight in mainstream history. We have also planned a student-led discussion that will allow students to engage in a critical conversation on race that gives everyone the opportunity to express their own experiences, views, and beliefs. We are very excited to share these events with the Centenary community.”
Black History Month 2022 events at Centenary include:
Trivia Night – Wednesday, February 2
8:00 p.m.
Whited Room in Bynum Commons
Trivia Night is a fun and engaging way for students to test their knowledge of African-American history in categories including television/entertainment, music, and sports, to name a few. Top prize is a $50 gift card.
Film Screening: Moonlight – Monday, February 7
7:00 p.m.
Whited Room in Bynum Commons
Moonlight, the 2016 winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture along with two additional Academy Awards, is a coming of age story that explores identity, race, and sexuality.
Mural Painting: Brush Strokes and History Notes – Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meadows Museum Classroom
This event will bring together Centenary students to create a mural representing Black history that will be displayed in the College’s Meadows Museum during the spring 2022 semester. The mural design and painting materials will be provided by the Black Student Union.
Lecture: Women in War: The Mothers of Freedom – Tuesday, February 15
11:00 a.m.
Whited Room in Bynum Commons
Historian and author Edmond Davis will shine a light on some American “trailblazers” whose contributions to freedom have often been overlooked because of their gender.
This event is supported by the Centenary Student Government Association and the Attaway Professorships in Civic Culture Program.
A Critical Conversation on Race: Exploring systemic racism, prejudice, and bias through meaningful discourse – Monday, February 21
6:00 p.m.
Whited Room in Bynum Commons
A student-led discussion moderated by Dr. Latoya Pierce, Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Centenary.