Junior Adriana Clarke, student coordinator for Black Student Success and Student Mentors Advising Rising Talent, is excited for students to be able to attend the Black History Month events her and other student coordinators have been planning. She said she thinks the Black History Month Kickoff on Feb. 3 will be exciting for students to attend.
As Black History Month begins, Elon’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education has planned nine events for students to celebrate and educate themselves about the month and their identity. The Black History Month celebrations will end Feb. 28 with the Black Solidarity Conference.
Other events include a Black Table Talk about legacy on Feb. 12 and a Health and Hustle event meant to teach students how to eat healthy on a budget while also maintaining their mental health. The CREDE is bringing a Carnaval celebration to Elon, with steel pan performers Feb. 26.
Many of the events emphasize discussing what legacy and influence looks like within the Black community and the Elon community as a whole. The CREDE has planned these events to encapsulate the theme of this year’s celebration: This Is How We Do It, celebrating Blackness through influence, innovation, and legacy. Abdul-Malik Harrison, a program director for the CREDE, said he hopes this year’s theme will create a conversation around the contributions and impact of the Black community.
Last year’s theme celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The CREDE focused on the contributions of the Black community to all types of music genres including hiphop and rhythm and blues. For Harrison, last year’s theme singularly focused on music, but this year’s theme will encompass a much broader range of ideas and messages.
“This year, we’re focusing on music, on art, history and economics. This one was probably a little bit more broader in its scope of what we’ll be talking about,” Harrison said. “When you really think about it and boil it down, we’re talking about Black people’s contributions to society.”
Clarke, along with her partner Mikayla Williams, have designed the Health and Hustle event to be both budget friendly and an environment for students to get together and discuss issues surrounding mental health in the Black community. Elon counselor Charles Evans will be at the event to facilitate this conversation.
“We will be cooking meals that are on a budget but are healthy for college students,” Clarke said. “That is what I am most excited about, cooking.”
The events this month are planned with input from student coordinators, such as Clarke. She said she believes having student input on the events will make them more authentic and relatable to student attendees.
“We can give input of this is what’s going on, on campus with our peers and with Elon. We get input on what will engage the students that look like us,” Clarke said. “Trends come and go and if we go by what the trends are going to I feel like they will be more engaged, rather than it being so formal and from an adult perspective.”
For Harrison, bringing the entire Elon community together regardless of race is important. During these events, Harrison said he hopes students across campus will take part so they can uplift the stories and experiences of their Black peers and learn to be a better supporter of the Black community.
Harrison encourages students from all backgrounds to participate in these events. Harrison said he believes the events will be a great way to build Elon’s community while having fun and becoming a well-rounded person.
“I think it’s very important for students to step outside of their comfort zone and learn more about other cultures and other peoples and their contributions to society, and then also how you can be helpful or be an ally to them as well,” Harrison said. “We’re all on the same team here at Elon.”
Here is a comprehensive calendar of all Black History Month events.
Friday, Feb. 7:
Tiny Shelf Concert
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Belk Library
Hosted by the CREDE, Belk Library and Jazz Studies Department, the Tiny Shelf Conert will highlight Black artists and Elon Jazz Studies.
Wednesday, Feb. 12:
Black Table Talk: Legacy in Motion
5:30 to 7 p.m. | McKinnon Hall
Through activities and discussions, the event hosted by CREDE will honor Black history while shaping its future at Elon.
Monday, Feb. 17:
Health & Healing
5 to 7 p.m. | El Centro Kitchen
This CREDE event will explore the powerful connection between nutrition and mental health.
Friday, Feb. 21:
Black History Month Basketball Recognition Game
7 p.m. | Schar Center
The Elon women's basketball team will take on the University of Delaware with special prizes for attendees.
Sunday, Feb. 23:
Movie Screening: "Shift: Everybody's Work"
6 to 8 p.m. | LaRose Theater
"Shift: Everybody's Work" explores racism in nursing and healthcare and will be followed by a panel discussion.
Wednesday, Feb. 26:
Carnaval Celebration
5 p.m. | McKinnon Hall
Elon's Carnaval will be a multicultural celebration, blending African, Indigenous, Latinx and other cultural traditions and performances with activities and food.
Friday, Feb. 26:
Black Solidarity Conference
Noon to 5 p.m. | Moseley Center
Elon's Black Solidarity Day aims to bring together Black-identifying students, faculty and staff to explore Black identity, the intersectionality of Black experiences and build solidarity among Black community members. Registration by Feb. 17 is required for the event.