Black History Month marks 32 years at UF

January 31, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Black Student Union begins its 32nd celebration of Black History Month with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m. today in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom.

The ceremony will reveal this month’s theme, “Mahogany Renaissance,” and include food and guest speaker Boris Kodjoe, actor and former model.

The official kick-off to Black History Month, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, will begin at 12:35 p.m. today at Turlington Plaza with the singing of the Negro National Anthem.

“We have a lot of events planned that are really going to knock your socks off,” said Cecil Duffie, executive director of Black History Month, a committee within the Black Student Union.

The Rev. Run, former member of hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. and reality TV star of MTV’s “Run’s House,” will speak from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom.

UF’s celebration of Black History Month is one of the largest of any other in the country hosted by an academic institution, according to Duffie. The Black Student Union begins planning for the events almost a year in advance.

The mission, unique to this year’s programs, is to reach beyond the student community to involve Gainesville residents, Duffie said.
A new program called “Supporting Black-Owned Businesses” will highlight and honor local establishments owned by African Americans and other minority groups.

But even with 12 new events planned, the month’s festivities will bring back popular events such as the Florida Invitational Step Show, Feb. 19, and Black History Month poetry night, Feb. 25.

For more information on events and dates, visit www.union.ufl.edu/involvement or e-mail Duffie at cecilduffie89@ufl.edu.