Island University Commemorates Black History Month and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –Islanders, along with the local community, joined together on Jan. 23, for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration. The celebration, which featured keynote speaker Symone Sanders, 2016 Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sander’s presidential campaign and political contributor for CNN, was organized in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the 50th anniversary of his death.
“Events like these are extremely important because they highlight the contributions and importance of African Americans in this country,” said Angela Walker, Associate Dean of Students and event organizer. “After hearing Sanders, it’s my hope that students are inspired to make an impact and leave a legacy of hope and positive change for others to follow.”
During her speech, Sanders spoke of the importance of young people stepping forward to make a change and urged them to become ‘radical revolutionaries’ like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King, Sanders said, was not a docile ‘Uniter-In-Chief,’ but instead a person who pushed the boundaries for change and challenged the status quo.
“Now is the time to make a conscious decision to do the things that have not been done before because, like Dr. King did 50 years before us, the work we do today will define where our lives are 50 years from now,” said Sanders.
The Island University continues to celebrate diversity through the month of February with multiple Black History Month events that bring to light past and current struggles in society.
“We are in a crucial state in this country and we need to remember and learn from what has happened in the past,” said Walker. “Celebrating diversity is part of that. People need to know they are valued and appreciated.”
Black History Month events include:
- Tunnel of Freedom: Programs for Academic Student Support (PASS) will hold the interactive Tunnel of Freedom display on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Film Screening: “Dark Girls” Documentary: PASS will host a screening of “Dark Girls” Documentary on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 2-4 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Project GRAD Poetry Slam: Join PASS in honoring Black History Month with a poetry slam on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Tunnel of Freedom: PASS will hold the interactive Tunnel of Freedom display on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Round Table Discussions: PASS will facilitate student-only round table discussions on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Film Screening: “Hidden Figures”: PASS will hold a film screening of “Hidden Figures” on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom.
- Step Afrika!: The world’s first professional dance company dedicated to stepping, Step Afrika!, will visit the Island University on Monday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center, Anchor Ballroom.
- Black History Month Movie: “Get Out”: The Islander Cultural Alliance (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.
- 2018 MLK Awards Luncheon: The ICA will celebrate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the MLK Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. in the University Center, Lonestar Ballroom. To RSVP, click here.
