"Black History Month doesn't begin each February first and end when the month is over; it continues each and every day throughout the year," said Fallon Ukpe, chair of the Black Student Union Black History Month planning committee. Like others involved in planning the exciting variety of events showcased in this year's Black History Month at Hopkins, she sees this month as an opportunity to reach and educate people at Hopkins and in the greater Baltimore community.
Ukpe, along with BSU Chair-Elects Lauren Parris and Mpepera Simango, have been working since last summer with their adviser Carla Hopkins to prepare a diverse set of events keeping in mind this year's theme, "Roots: Our Universal Heritage."
According to the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) Rosemary Varner-Gaskins, her office works with the BSU in order to ensure that the events chosen achieve a balance between displaying the fun and social aspects of African American culture while offering opportunities for all to learn from real experiences.
"Ms. Carla Hopkins was truly the one who worked tirelessly -- even on evenings and weekends -- with Lauren and Mpepera for the past six months," Varner-Gaskins said.
"Mpepera, Lauren and I worked hard to select and plan all events so that they would not be overwhelming," Ukpe said. "Our hope was that these events spark conversations, interest and awareness that would, in the end, bring people together."
The organizers focused their efforts on showcasing the arts, politics, fashion and literature. Varner-Gaskins said that while Black History Month at Hopkins had fewer events this year than in past years, this year's events possessed more substance. Events were often more socially conscious than in the past, featuring a blood drive, a gospel jubilee and the annual poetry slam. Echoing that trend, this month's speakers included former president of the NAACP Kweisi Mfume and author Bebe Campbell.
"I entered the poetry slam and the atmosphere was warm and vibrant with life. ... I love it when black people, no matter what nationality, come together to chat and be entertained. I love my black people," said freshman Njeri Osborne, who won third place in the competition.
She recounted her experience. "The poem I wrote was in response to a discussion on the representation of black women in hip-hop. These discussions definitely help to stimulate the inspiration process. I love attending these discussions because they aim to reinforce a sense of purpose in all who attend. I would love if there were more poetry slams. I am really proud of my freshman friends who entered. Mo, Joe and Louis were excellent. I really felt their passion."
Published poet Michael J. Burt and other poets from the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Virginia areas were invited to attend the slam, which was met with wide success from a student body that doesn't always have such creative outlets.
The Blueprint 2 fashion show and after-party last Saturday were particularly popular events within the month of activities. Featuring student models from both Hopkins and Loyola, a variety of styles paraded the runway, from urban to formal wear. Students from various Baltimore colleges and universities faced the cold weather to support the successful event. The show included a dance portion from some of the female models and a live performance from an up-and-coming songwriter and artist.
Often, Black History Month helps to gear up interest for future organizers of the next year's festivities. This year was no exception, with the planners already analyzing what worked and what fell flat. "For next year, we hope to continue the Blueprint fashion show, and we hope that it will become an annual event like the poetry slam," Ukpe said. "Also we hope to make Black History Month even more successful with diverse, creative events that reach out to even more people at Hopkins and in Baltimore.
This year's BHM activities are coming to a close with a Peabody Concert Sunday, Feb. 26, in the SDS room in Mattin Center. Osborne is looking for the event to be "relaxed, warm, jazzy, classical, soulful and vibrant." Like others, she is sure that though this event will conclude the month's program here at Hopkins, it will not stop the learning process that leads to different and equally successful Black History Month celebrations every year. For student organizers, the closing of the festivities gives them yet another opportunity to improve and learn.
For many, though, the learning curve runs the opposite direction in the student body. Varner-Gaskins said she still has people ask her why it is necessary that Black History Month be celebrated.
Her response is: "Until we start teaching beyond European history we will always have to have a Black History Month, an Asian Festival, Latino Heritage, etc. We must infuse greater history of every culture in our schools and communities." With every passing year, organizers of the Black History Month try to do just that.
