UCO to Celebrate Black History Month with Kickoff Event, Feb. 6
Jan. 28, 2025
.jpg "Headshot of Stevie Johnson, Ph.D.")
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Office of Student Engagement, African American Faculty/Staff Association (AAFSA) and Black Student Union will host a Black History Month kickoff event at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Nigh University Center, Constitution Hall, located on Central’s campus.
The event, “Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: The Remix of Black History Month,” will feature a keynote address from Stevie Johnson, Ph.D., assistant professor of creative practice in popular music at Ohio State University.
“I believe our Black History Month kickoff event is essential because it gives us a space to honor our history, celebrate our culture and create a stronger, more united community at UCO,” said Ahmari Conard, president of the UCO Black Student Association.
Johnson is the founder and executive producer of Fire in Little Africa, a 21-track hip-hop album signed to Motown Records, an award-winning documentary, podcast and curriculum inspired by Black Wall Street and the 100-year acknowledgment of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. As a former staff member at Central, Johnson helped to establish the Black Male Summit and Black Male Initiative Program.
Following the keynote address, awards and scholarships will be presented.
The Dr. Judith Wakefield You Made a Difference Award is presented by the AAFSA to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in service to UCO and its African American faculty, staff and students. This year’s award winner is Kay Robinson, Ed.D., assistant vice president of student affairs at UCO.
“Dr. Kay Robinson is a driving force on the UCO campus when it comes to student advocacy. She places students first and has a special place in her heart to ensure students are successful. Dr. Kay has been instrumental in developing, initiating and supporting numerous outstanding student initiatives at Central since 2008,” said Barry Lofton, executive director of TRIO and GEAR UP programs at UCO.
Additional awards include the Dr. Paul Lehman Impact Award, which is awarded to a UCO faculty or staff member who has gone above and beyond to support the Black Student Association. The Barry Lofton Leadership Award will be awarded to a student who has shown a great level of commitment to the Black Student Association.
Leadership scholarships, presented by the AAFSA, are named after MeShawn Conley-Green and Johnson, who significantly impacted the UCO African American community and its students. The $1000 scholarships will be awarded to students to support and encourage them to overcome financial barriers and achieve their academic goals.
For more information, contact UCO Student Engagement at se@uco.edu.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma will host a Black History Month kickoff event at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Nigh University Center, Constitution Hall, located on Central’s campus. The event will feature a keynote address from Stevie Johnson, Ph.D., assistant professor of creative practice in popular music at Ohio State University. Additionally, Kay Robinson, Ed.D., assistant vice president of student affairs at UCO, will be awarded the Dr. Judith Wakefield You Made a Difference Award. Photo provided.
Devan Wielgos