Black History Showcase Highlights Campus Diversity

02/20/2014 3:03 PM

By: Savannah Jones ‘14

Bradley’s speech team and Multicultural Student Services have teamed up to present an evening of drama, poetry and public speaking. The Black History Showcase, 7 p.m. February 21 in Neumiller Hall, will feature six performances by speech team members.

Johnson has joined with Multicultural Student Services to promote the event beyond campus and has received a favorable response beyond the Hilltop. Out-of-state speech teams already in town for an upcoming tournament and local organizations like Black Alliance have expressed interest in attending.

Johnson said the event grew in momentum and “literally took off in a matter of days.”

In addition to being a chance to perform in front of an audience, Black History Showcase is an opportunity to open discussions about race and cultural diversity. Public relations major Jerome Gregory ’17 said he is excited to be a part of the forum.

“I want people to take away a fresh perspective on the way African-American history fits into the broader sense of history,” Gregory said. “I want to provide a picture that black history isn’t just black history alone but part of all history, not its own section we only acknowledge in February.”   

For journalism major Gabby Dillion ‘14, the showcase is chance to highlight Bradley’s diversity on campus, painting Bradley in a “whole new light” and honoring “those who came before us.”

Admission is $5 at the door.