Black History Month Opening Ceremony

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month on February 9, starting at 11 a.m. in the outdoor classroom in the third floor of the SEC Building.

Given the context in which African/African American identity, culture, and contributions have been skirted, somewhat distorted, and co-opted and corrupted, this event will provide student with a cursory examination of REAL TALK about a people who have made significant contributions to our society and culture overall. 

THE OPENING CEREMONY led by Ken Songco 

We will begin the event with the acknowledgement that we, as settlers and displanted people, reside on the unceded sacred land of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe. We take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this land.  

RITUAL & CEREMONY Led by Roshawn Walter 

Ritual and ceremony play a major part in maintaining a harmonious relationship with the divine powers, cosmic powers and with the spiritual forces of nature. The purpose being to serve as a bridge and preservation of the ancient ways so that we can tap into the stories we are carrying today and connect them to the legacy we hold in order to bring about a generational healing.  

This part accompanied by Invocational drumming led by Machiko Kyoya and Dr. Piper 

Music: Ajaja and Robert’s Lane 

After Invocation 

Inspired by the conversations centered around the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory, we will have narrators speak on the change contributions attributed to different individuals born during the month of February. Namely: 

• Monica Sain: Moderator  
• Tricia Darrell: Ruth Ross 
• Alfred Forrest: Greensboro North Carolina sit-in  
• Jaidyn Manning: Ruth Sager 
• Akrem Mohammed: Dr. Huey P. Newton 
• Donnelle McGee: Dr. Barbara Charline Jordan 
• Haze Dennis: Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson 

We begin all of our events with an acknowledgement of our history, ancestors, fore-parents and the spirit of existence.  It is an African tradition that connects us with our heritage, culture and future endeavors.  Our generation has the responsibility to pass our history and experiences forward because we now have the vehicles to transmit culture, history, and traditional ways of thinking and behaving to our future generations.