Events will mark Black History Month

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will welcome members of the University of Georgia's (UGA) Divine 9 for a step show, host a panel on natural hair, display an art exhibit at the Gainesville Campus, and hold other events in celebration of Black History Month in February.  

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) will kick off the monthlong celebration of Black excellence and achievement on Feb. 6 with the Paint by Numbers tabling event. Students will be able to pick up kits of a historical Black figure at noon from the Student Center Patio at UNG's Gainesville Campus and the Hoag Patio at the Dahlonega Campus.

The following Tuesday, MSA in collaboration with Career Services will tackle the struggles of discrimination in a panel titled, "Breaking Barriers: Natural Hair In the Workplace." The event will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 13 via Zoom.

With support of the African American Male Initiative, and Black Student Union (DAH), for the first time, UNG will welcome members of UGA's National Pan-Hellenic Council to put on a step show at 7 p.m. Feb. 16. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, and Sigma Gamma Rho will perform as part of a tradition among historically Black fraternities and sororities. These organizations, created around the principles of scholarship, service and community, date back to 1906.

"We are really excited to help our students celebrate Black History Month with engaging activities. Our focus is always on creating spaces for students to engage, celebrate and educate," Dr. Andrew Johnson, MSA director, said. "These activities provide a great opportunity for just that. Particularly we are excited about the step show and sharing some of the history of these traditionally black fraternities and sororities with our students."

Starting on Feb. 19, MSA will also have a Black History Month Art Exhibition at the John Amoss Gallery. The exhibit will last until Feb. 29. There will also be a reception at 4 p.m. on Feb. 22.

The events will conclude with an International Night at the Gainesville Campus hosted by the Black Student Union in partnership with the Asian Student Association and the Latino Student Association. The event will take place in the Robison Ballroom located in the Student Center on Feb. 28 and will last from 5-8 p.m.