Celebrating Black History Month at Virginia Tech
To the Virginia Tech community,
This year, as we celebrate Black History Month, let’s take a moment to also celebrate its origins. Black History Month can be traced back to 1915, when noted historian Carter G. Woodson (often described as the “father of Black history”) created and led a movement to document Black heritage. In the words of Woodson’s, “We have a wonderful history behind us. If you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, 'You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else.'”
While its original purpose was to educate and preserve history, Black History Month acknowledges racial justice and educational opportunity. In fact, Woodson chose February as the month to celebrate because it was the birth month of two individuals who represent the elimination of slavery: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Our office has had the honor to host conversations with two amazing Black women who have worked tirelessly for Black justice, Dr. Fania Davis and Sybrina Fulton. Dr. Davis spent decades as a Civil Rights activist and attorney. She was also active in the Black liberation, women's, prisoners', peace, anti-racial-violence, and anti-apartheid movements. In this video, Dr. Davis shares her story as part of the 2022 celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Fulton is the mother of Trayvon Martin. Since his death in 2012 she has shared her pain as a grieving mother to make transformations toward social change. In this impactful video, she discusses her work to end gun violence while providing Black youth empowerment and family support in the memory of her late son, Trayvon. I encourage you to watch and absorb the words of both of these powerful interviews.
At Virginia Tech, our dedicated approach is one that equally values inclusion as much as diversity. Rather than just imparting education, through our efforts, we strive to inspire. We are dedicated to InclusiveVT, our institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. It is the commitment by which we determinedly ensure that diversity and inclusion are firmly embedded in every aspect of the Virginia Tech experience.
Throughout the year, our Cultural and Community Centers (CCC) provide essential platforms through which Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff can experience a wide range of cultural differences within a safe, welcoming, and illuminating environment.
During Black History Month, and all year long, the oldest member of the CCC, the Black Cultural Center, hosts a broad variety of informative programming and events that encourage open and meaningful discussions about Black culture. It is important to take time to recognize and celebrate our many achievements as individuals and as the collective “we.” To that end, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has created this comprehensive February calendar with activities celebrating Black History Month. Whether you are looking for a virtual or in-person experience, a performance or a discussion, there is something for everyone.
In closing, I’d like to reflect on this year’s Black History Month theme: Black Health and Wellness. This is particularly timely as we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pandemic that has disproportionately affected underserved communities, and placed unique burdens on Black health care professionals. We can and we must do better. At Virginia Tech, we can do our part by continuing to educate our community. In the words of Dr. Woodson, “For me, education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.”
Sincerely,
Menah Pratt-Clarke,
Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity
