BSU welcomes Black History Month

During the month of February, the University of Northern Iowa Black Student Union will host events related to Black History Month. The events will consist of a variety of activities including lectures, dances and shows, all promoting awareness of African American history to students and the public.

Black History Month was born out of the effort of Carter G. Woodson, the son of a slave and a 1912 Harvard graduate, when he started Negro History Week in 1926. He wanted to educate everyone about African-American history and the achievements of African-American men and women. Woodson's idea caught on and in 1976, the celebration grew from a week to a month.

DeAngelo Hall, co-president of the UNI Black Student Union, gave his views on Black History Month.

"I think the most important message is to never forget your history," said Hall, a senior marketing major.  "It's to make sure that we never forget what people have done for us."

Hall and other members of BSU have been busily preparing for all of the events that will take place during February.

"We have an event called ‘A Thousand and One Inventions,' which will be a kind of play which will take away all black inventions that have been created just to give us a visual of life would be like without those things," said Hall.

Along with the Black Student Union, the Center for Multicultural Education, Campus Activities Board and African Union are also hosting and helping out with the events.