February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements of Black and African-Americans and recognize their contributions and central role in U.S. history.
However, Eboné Bell, founder and editor-in-chief of Tagg Magazine, feels that many students don’t know or understand Black history and that most can count the number of Black changemakers and historical figures they learned about in school on one hand.
But why are most Americans limited in their knowledge of Black history, she wondered. After all, Black history is American history.
And so, through the art of storytelling, Bell will address the education of Americans regarding Black history in her presentation “Black History is American History,” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Memorial Student Center, Ballroom B.
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can register for the in-person event on CONNECT or attend virtually on Teams Live.
Bell, a keynote speaker specializing in equity, diversity and inclusion, allyship, and LGBTQIA+ activism, will explore Black historical figures, experiences and important events that have shaped America’s past and present.
She encourages everyone to go beyond the basics of Black history “because knowing your past, helps open the doors to the future.”
Bell’s presentation is co-hosted by UW-Stout's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, the Involvement Center, Multicultural Student Services and the Inclusion Excellence Action Plan.
The Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation at UW-Stout is also featuring two free community events:
- Black History Month: The Right to Protest, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Memorial Student Center, Northwoods Room. This event will feature speakers Franciska Coleman, assistant professor of law at UW-Madison, and Jim Szymalak, assistant professor of political science at UW-La Crosse.
- Black Entrepreneurship, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, Sorensen Hall, room 205. This event is co-sponsored by Black Student Union. It will feature panelists Frank Brown, founder and owner of Minuteman Press; Keenan Grenell, CEO of Global Capital Group, LLC; Charles Ross, CEO of InBia; and Tamisha Butler, owner of Mesha&CO.
