Brigadier General Allen J. Jamerson, a 1983 and 1986 graduate of UNC Pembroke and officer in the U.S. Air Force, heads up a series of events that will be held at UNC Pembroke in February to honor Black History Month.

Black History Month, celebrated annually in February, recognizes African Americans' history, culture, achievements, contributions and role in U.S. history. The celebration was designed to be held in February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and was known as Negro History Week. Due to the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s and increased awareness of the importance of African American history, the celebration expanded to an entire month in the United States by the 1970s. Every U.S. president since 1976 has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Today, other countries, including Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

The Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity and the Black History Month Committee at UNCP are excited to announce the following events for Black History Month. 

February 7-8

• Learn more about famous inventions by Black inventors as a tribute to their ingenuity for Black History Month. Inventive Roots: A Tribute to Black Ingenuity will be held in the Chavis Student Center mall from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on both days. The Student Government Association hosts the event.

February 12

• The Black Student Union (BSU) hosts BSU Week-Motivational Monday from 12-1:20 p.m. at the Water Feature in front of the Livermore Library. Kick off BSU Week with a peaceful walk from the water feature to the Chavis Student Center, where participants will hold poster boards and show past and present Black Excellence. Participants are asked to wear all black to signify unity and to support BSU’s Spirit Week.

February 13

• BSU Week continues with Wellness Tuesday from 5:15-6:15 p.m. in the Jones Center, Room 1165. Join us for yoga sponsored by Campus Recreation.
• The Writing Center will host the Linguistic Justice Panel – a Deliberative Dialogue about achieving linguistic justice for all people within academia from 4-6 p.m. in D.F. Lowry, Room 308.

February 15

• Join us for part two of The Crown Experience: Hair Braiding Workshop from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the University Center Annex. The last hairstyle will be at 3:30 p.m. The event is open to everyone and co-sponsored by the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity’s Black Heritage Committee, Embracing My Natural, Inc., Smith Natural Hair Academy and Esha Natural.

February 15

• BSU Week continues with Thriving Thursday/Game Night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Chavis Student Center, Room 208. Join the Black History Club for an evening of trivia, fun prizes, games and fellowship. It is hosted by the Black Student Union.

February 19-20

• Housing and Residence Life will host the Black History Museum daily from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chavis Student Center mall. Learn about Black history during a walkthrough museum experience. You will learn about people and events that paved the way for Black Americans, particularly in education and the Civil Rights Movement.

February 20

• Join us for the interactive Deliberative Dialogue Crafts & Convos: Racial Inequities in Food Insecurity from 4-5:30 p.m. in the University Center Annex. During the open dialogue, participants will decorate a tote bag provided by the CARE Resource Center while learning and sharing how to combat food insecurity.

February 21

• The Distinguished Speaker Series presents An Evening with Brigadier General Allen J. Jamerson—a proud double graduate of UNCP (1983 and 1986), Brig. Gen. Jamerson entered the U.S. Air Force in 1986. Brig. Gen. Jamerson, current chair of the UNCP Board of Trustees, has a long and distinguished military career. He will talk about leadership, service and the impact of UNCP on his life. Sponsored by the Career Center and the Thomas College of Business and Economics, the event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center Annex. Students can RSVP through BraveConnect (if spaces remain).

February 23

• Join us for Musical Movements Through Time: A Black History Experience to learn more about the history of Black music. Hosted by the Student Music Council, the event features seminars at 5:30 p.m. in the Moore Hall Band Room and a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Moore Hall Auditorium.

February 28

• The String Queens will perform at the Givens Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Praised for its authentic, soulful and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ) is a dynamic trio that creates stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel and imagine! With various repertoire from the Baroque era to the Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100 Chart, TSQ performs versatile programs that take listeners on a rousing musical journey through time and many musical genres. Learn more about the performance and purchase tickets.