Island University Commemorates Black History Month with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The origins of Black History Month date back to 1925, when Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian, author, journalist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, established Negro History Week. More than 50 years later, in the height of the civil rights movement, President Gerald R. Ford extended the week to include the entire month of February. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is proud to celebrate this historic month with a variety of events, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. This community event is free and open to the public and is held in partnership with Del Mar College.

The MLK Community Celebration will feature keynote speaker Symone Sanders, 2016 Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sander’s presidential campaign and political contributor for CNN. At 25 years-old, Sanders was the youngest presidential press secretary in history. Her incredible skill in speaking and her understanding of political issues has led to multiple features on news networks. Currently, Sanders is Principle of the 360 Group LLC, where she provides communications guidance to organizations, businesses, individuals, campaigns and candidates that need solutions to tough political and social problems.

Other Black History Month events at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi include:

• 2018 MLK Awards Luncheon: The Islander Cultural Alliance (ICA) will celebrate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the MLK Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 11:30 a.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom. Come help recognize students, faculty and staff who exemplify the ideals of MLK. Nominations for the MLK Award will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 19. The luncheon is free and open to students, faculty and staff, but there is limited seating. To RSVP to the luncheon, click here.
  
  
• Film Screening of “I Am Not Your Negro”: Come out to the Island University on Monday, Feb. 6, for a film screening of “I Am Not Your Negro” at 7 p.m. in the O’Conner Building, room 145. The movie is based on James Baldwin’s final unpublished manuscript in which he reflects on the assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The screening will include a discussion led by Dr. David Blanke, Professor of History. This event is free and open to the public.
  
  
• Step Afrika!: The world’s first professional dance company dedicated to stepping, Step Afrika!, will come to the Island University on Monday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center, Anchor Ballroom. The dancers of Step Afrika! use their bodies as instruments, integrating stepping with African traditional dance and other dance forms. This event is free and open to the public.
  
  
• Black History Month Movie: “Get Out”: The ICA will wrap up Black History Month at the Island University with a screening of “Get Out,” a recently released mystery-thriller movie, on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom. This event is free and open to the public.

The Mary and Jeff Bell Library will also host displays of books related to Black History Month, along with daily Facebook trivia contests with weekly prizes.