2013 Black History Month: Reinvesting in Our Community

SMU students will celebrate Black History Month this year with community service projects, special programs, featured speakers and the annual Black Excellence Ball. 

Sponsored by the Association of Black Students (ABS) and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the observance begins with a kick-off event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 31, on the west side of Hughes-Trigg Student Center.

All events are free and open to the public

Featured speakers include:

• Hill Harper is an NAACP Image Award winner, best-selling author and actor who portrays "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes" on the hit drama series "CSI: New York." Read more.
  He will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 31, in Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theatre.
      
• Bernard Franklin is a motivational speaker, consultant and a leader in articulating the issues of urban men, youth, and families. He will speak at various events February 12 in Hughes-Trigg Student Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. He is sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain.
      
• Jerry LeVias is an SMU alumnus who in 1965 became the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the Southwest Conference. He made both athletic and academic All-America football teams and led the Mustangs to their first conference title in 18 years. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from SMU in 1969, LeVias played professional football for the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers. Read more.
  He will be the featured speaker at the Black Excellence Ball at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28, in Jones Hall of the Meadows Museum. 

Other events include:

• Saturday, February 2
  Community Service Day hosted by Black Men Emerging.
  Meet at the SMU Flagpole at 10 a.m.
      
• Wednesday, February 6
  Join ABS to support SMU Men's Basketball
  7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum
      
• Friday, February 8
  Day Party - Hosted by the Vice-President ’s Council.
  Noon in Hughes-Trigg Commons
      
• Sunday, February 10
  Join ABS to support SMU Women's Basketball
  2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum
      
• Saturday, February 16
  Community Service Day hosted by Black Men Emerging.
  Meet at the SMU Flagpole at 10 a.m.
      
• Wednesday, February 20
  Delta Jeopardy — Black History Jeopardy Game
  7:13 p.m. in the M Lounge
      
• Thursday, February 21
  The Progression of the Black Woman — A journey through the history of the everyday American Black Woman.
  6:30 p.m. in the Hughes-Trigg Ballrooms
      
• Friday, February 22
  Meadows Wind Ensemble: I Have a Dream — a Black History Month celebration of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, featuring a performance of the iconic speech with narration by distinguished Meadows alumnus and star of opera and oratorio Donnie Ray Albert. Read more.
  8 p.m. in Caruth Auditorium of SMU's Owen Arts Center
      
• Tuesday February 26
  M. K. Asante, Jr (award-winning author, filmmaker, and professor) - Tate Distinguished Lecture Series
  7 p.m. (Box Office Opens) in McFarlin Auditorium
      
• Thursday, February 28
  Black Excellence Ball
  6:30 p.m. in Jones Hall of the Meadows Museum
      

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