West Liberty University has planned events to observe Black History Month 2022, under the auspices of WLU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative led by Dr. Monique L. Akassi, interim special assistant to the president for DEI & Strategic Initiatives.
One of the events, the Creative Arts Therapy Gallery exhibition, “Pioneers of Color” is now open and continues throughout the month, offering artwork by educators, activists and art therapists that illustrate Black History in interpretive ways.
The gallery is open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Wednesdays and is located on the second floor of the College Union. This exhibition includes a festive reception featuring the work of local artist Vondel Bell of Wheeling that will take place from 3 – 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25. Art Therapy Instructor Terry Giller is the coordinator of the exhibition.
WLU is recognizing prominent African-Americans by adding full-size cardboard cutouts of leaders and famous personalities to inform the campus about these important contributors to American history and culture. These are on display in the College Union throughout the month.
A tasty event features the Marketplace cafeteria and takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 when Sodexo Food Services turns its luncheon menu to dishes inspired by African American culture.
Featured dishes include Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Lime Mojo Sauce, Spicy Black-Eyed Peas, Turnip Greens, Cornbread, African Sweet Potato & Beef Stew, Steamed Rice, Sweet Fried Plantains, Bread Pudding and Sweet Potato Pie, along with other options.
At noon on Wednesday, Feb. 23 President W. Franklin Evans and Dr. Akassi will speak to the Panhellenic Council in the ASRC Boyle Room. This noontime program offers an educational look at historically African American fraternities and sororities.
Suggested books for Black History Month are on display at Elbin Library and support the African American Read-In on Feb. 24 when campus will take part in the African American Read-In, a national initiative honoring Black History Month. All students and employees are invited to take part in the activity that begins at 4 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the College Union.
“The African American Read-In gives us a chance to share and read aloud from any text written by an African American author. Each reader will read a poem, excerpt from a book or speech, or some other literature,” explained Amanda Tennant, who is a member of the WLU Campus & Community Diversity Committee and serves as an assistant professor of English.
This is the third year that WLU has taken part in the Read-In, which is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature begun in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Finally, the month’s activities will end at a special 11 a.m. Feb. 28 program in College Hall that includes music and a keynote address by Stephanie Shaw, a member of the Board of Governors and WLU alumna who resides in Columbus, Ohio. Shaw is vice president for Enterprise Technology for the Wendy’s Company.
The WLU Diversity Committee, under the guidance of Akassi, meets throughout the academic year and is chaired by Chris McPherson, director of the Learning & Student Development Center and Dr. Felipe Rojas, assistant professor of Spanish.
Members include staff: Emily D‘Aquila, Izzy Bennett, Kate Billings, Kim Eisel, Ryan Glanville, Yodev Ocasio, Cassandra Seth, Michelle Panepucci, Tammi Secrist, Tasha Taylor and Jared Thompson.
Faculty members are: William Baronak, Rebecca Meacham, Hilary Bougher-Muckian, Lihua Chen, Terri Giller, Amanda Tennant, Eveldora Wheeler and James Wood.
For more information on the activities of Black History Month or the Diversity Committee, please contact McPherson at christopher.mcpherson@westliberty.edu or by phone at 304.336.8274.
