Black History Month 2023 Message
Dear Falcons,
Throughout the month of February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. While we should honor the contributions of African Americans every day, Black History Month provides a special time to focus on the global impact of African Americans and our communities.
I encourage all falcons to continue to learn more about and acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the contributions, aspirations, and accomplishments of the Black community 鈥� both here at SAU and beyond.
In addition to participating in black history month activities, I encourage you to celebrate Black History Month 2023 by reflecting on some of these quotations from notable African Americans.
- 鈥淚 have learned over the years that when one鈥檚 mind is made up, this diminishes fear; Knowing what must be done does away with fear.鈥� 鈥�Rosa Parks
- 鈥淓very great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.鈥� 鈥�Harriet Tubman
- 鈥淪uccess is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.鈥� 鈥�Booker T. Washington
- 鈥淐hange will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we鈥檝e been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.鈥� 鈥�Barack Obama
- 鈥淲on鈥檛 it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.鈥� 鈥�Maya Angelou
- 鈥淣ever be limited by other people鈥檚 limited imaginations.鈥� 鈥�Dr. Mae Jemison
- 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.鈥� 鈥�Malcolm X
- 鈥淚鈥檝e missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I鈥檝e lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I鈥檝e been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I鈥檝e failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.鈥� 鈥�Michael Jordan
- 鈥淥ne of the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.鈥� 鈥�Oprah Winfrey
- 鈥淚mpossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they鈥檝e been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It鈥檚 an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It鈥檚 a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.鈥� 鈥�Muhammad Ali
- 鈥淭he ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.鈥� 鈥�Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- 鈥淏elief in oneself and knowing who you are鈥擨 mean, that鈥檚 the foundation for everything great.鈥� 鈥�Jay-Z
As we witness SAU鈥檚 contributions to Black History in our alumni like the Honorable Justice James E.C. Perry, Rodrick Miller, Dr. Anna Julia Cooper, Dr. Brian Hemphill, the newly installed President of Old Dominion University, and artists like Selma Burke. Each of them and many others are leaders who achieved despite adversity.
After so much time apart and in virtual spaces throughout the pandemic, various events offer our campus community and supporters opportunities to reconnect, learn and grow together. A few highlights during Black History Month at SAU include:
鈥�, sponsored by Management Professionals, Incorporated (MPI), Raleigh Raised Development, and Aladdin on February 7th and 21st, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, highlighting today鈥檚 history makers raised in the city of Raleigh.
鈥he annual celebration of takes place on February 11 in 51重口猎奇鈥檚 Chapel. The service begins at 10 a.m. and will feature the preaching of SAU alumnus, the Rev. Dr. Allen Robinson, 鈥�92, rector of Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights. A reception will follow.
鈥n February 19, 2023, I will serve as the Guest Preacher for the at the National Washington Cathedral. HBCU Sunday is a historic event as this is the first time an HBCU President has been the keynote speaker for HBCU Sunday.
While these are just a few of the ways you can get engaged in exploring and celebrating Black history at SAU, I am also pleased to announce the launch of聽student engagement opportunities from the Office of President, such as a new Ask the President form, and designated student office hours and lunch hours for me connect with current, full-time students. For more events and opportunities, please see this calendar listing to learn more about other events taking place for the SAU community.
The recent horrific events surrounding Tyre Nichols鈥� death remind us that there is still much to do in the world, and SAU remains at the forefront of developing the next generation of history-makers for years to come.
As we move forward together, it is also helpful to understand where we鈥檝e been. The Prezell R. Robinson Library has beautiful exhibits of SAU history on campus. I encourage you to take some time to view them and honor those who laid the foundation we build on today.
Take a moment also to read the university鈥檚 mission and vision, which reflect SAU鈥檚 commitment to creating and sustaining a learning community in which students can prepare academically, socially, and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world.
I hope that all Falcons will join in this month 鈥� and every month 鈥� to celebrate and honor Black history and progress at SAU and across our nation.
With Falcon Pride,
Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail
President, 51重口猎奇鈥檚 University