COOKEVILLE – Each February, Tennessee Tech celebrates Black History Month with events across campus designed to facilitate constructive conversations about the importance of diversity and to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our university and society. Several activities are planned for the month of February to honor Black History Month 2022 at Tech.
The Women’s Center and Multicultural Affairs is sponsoring a movie screening of “Harriet” which will be held on Monday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Stonecipher Lecture Hall, Room 126. This movie is characterized at an extraordinary take of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes.
Cynthia Polk-Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs, will be speaking on “Experiences and Mental Health as a Black Woman,” at A Woman of Worth lecture on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Black Cultural Center, in the Roaden University Center Room 258. As the lead student affairs administrator, Polk-Johnson manages sections within the Division of Student Affairs that provide advocacy, support, inclusion, well-being and connection to students.
There will be a Soul Food Dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. in the RUC Multipurpose Room. This will feature a talk with the owners of Jim & Samella’s House Memphis, featured in Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil.” Owner and Head Chef Talbert Fleming said he knows people come to his restaurant because they want a taste of home.
Multicultural Affairs will also be hosting an Open Mic Night on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at The Backdoor Playhouse. The event will feature live music, food and more. This event is free to attend, and performances will be from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. More information and the link to RSVP can be found on the Multicultural Affairs webpage.
The National Society of Black Engineers will host a Black Excellence Trivia Night on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. in the RUC – Black Cultural Center, Room 258. The National Society of Black Engineers is the largest student-run organization in the United States. Tech’s NSBE chapter, established in 1983, is actively involved with programs that associate students with the NSBE mission.
For more information regarding the Black History Month events or Multicultural Affairs at Tech, go to https://www.tntech.edu/multicultural-affairs/events.php.