Kylie McGovern, Editor 

Black History Month is observed every February to celebrate African Americans’ achievements and integral roles in history. There are celebrations and events both here at La Salle University and in the Greater Philadelphia area. The La Salle Connelly Library has a future exhibit on the first floor to celebrate Black History Month. There is a Notable Black Alumni section featuring alumni from decades beginning in the 1940s until most recently a spotlight on an alum who graduated in 2003. The exhibit features yearbooks, news articles, photographs and magazines. Another exhibit celebrates African American actors with photos, scripts, press releases and even a VHS tape. 

In addition to the exhibits in the library, Dr. Walter Greason, a professor at Macalester College, will speak at an event hosted by the black studies program history department and multicultural and international center on Philadelphia, Afrofuturism, and The Future of Wakanda. This event will be in Founder’s Hall on Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

La Salle’s African American Student League (AASL) has numerous events planned for this month. On Friday, Feb. 10 the AASL will host a “Red Table Talk ” which gives an opportunity to discuss challenges facing the Black community and topics like o cultural differences, relationships in college and how the campus community can come together.  This event will be in the Union’s Dunleavy Room at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 22 a Black History Month Town Hall with Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life Gabrielle St. Léger, Ed.D., Dean of Students TiRease Holmes, MBA ’16 and the Students Government Association will be an opportunity for students to share their Black perspective at La Salle. On Tuesday, Feb. 28 there will be a Black Showcase in the Dan Rodden Theater at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Black culture through student performances of spoken word, singing, dancing, and more.  

There will be a viewing of “The Sun Rises in the East” on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6–8:30 p.m. in Founders’ Hall in part with the School District of Philadelphia. In addition, there will be a screening of “Till” at 5:30 p.m. on Feb.23. 

There are also various events off-campus, but still in the area, to celebrate black history this February. The Philadelphia museum of art will offer free admission on Saturday, Feb. 25 which will be filled with programs and activities to highlight Black artists. In addition, The National Constitution Center is presenting an exhibit that celebrates and honors The Four Harriets of History: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The Free Library of Philadelphia also hosts an array of events to celebrate black history month.