THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls State University will celebrate African-American History Month with special programming including concerts, film screenings, book talks and other presentations that span the month of February.
Inspired by the national African-American History Month theme — African-Americans in Times of War — Nicholls will not only examine the impact African-Americans had in battle but also how other wars, such as the War on Drugs and War on Poverty, have affected African-Americans.
“The 2018 theme ‘African Americans in Times of War’ is a theme that pays homage to the brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that have paved a path of safety and security for a country they were both citizen and sometimes alien,” said Nicholls’ African-American History Month committee chair Deborah Moorhead, a sociology professor.
The month opens with a roundtable discussion led by veterans and Nicholls alumni on the impacts of African-Americans during U.S. conflicts. Andetrie Hicks, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran; Brandon Randolph, a Navy veteran and current Nicholls student; Marcus Robertson, who survived two campaigns in the middle east; and Richard Adams, who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2010 after 22 years, are the featured speakers.
Local leaders will lead men- and women-only discussions that focus on the question: What Are You Fighting For? Veteran Richard Adams, and Thibodaux attorney, Anthony Lewis, will lead the men’s presentation, while local activist Eva Shanklin will join Nicholls nursing faculty Dr. Charlene Smith, D’lane Alexander and Pam Williams-Jones as the women’s speakers.
The 2018 One Room Schoolhouse series will evaluate the impacts of the War on Drugs, War on Poverty, War on Missed Education and War on Disease.
The Ellis Marsalis Trio will return to Nicholls at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Danos Theatre. Marsalis is regarded by many as the premier modern jazz pianist in New Orleans.
Tickets for the concert are $20.00 and can be purchased between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Student Union Information Desk. Student tickets are available at the SGA office.
This year’s program will close with a presentation by the Nicholls NAACP Chapter Black History Program, which will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, heritage and culture of African-Americans through monologues, poetry and musical performances.
“African-American/Black History Month is a month-long, purposeful activity aimed at educating the public on the black experience,” Moorhead said. “Its historical roots lie in the work of historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It was he that spurred others to take time and effort in bringing attention to the many accomplishments and legacy of the Black American, a minority seen as having racial, physical and cultural features unwelcomed by many of the larger dominate community. He felt this activity crucial to the survival of this racial group.”
For a full list of events, visit https://www.nicholls.edu/news/ 2018/african-american-history/ .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Jan. 29, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
