Black History Month at Chapman University: Ways campus is promoting Black cultural awareness
Every February, the Chapman community unites to honor and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Black excellence during National Black History Month.
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the history and contributions of Black individuals across fields like arts, science, education, politics and social justice, while serving as a reminder to continue striving for equality.
At Chapman, the clubs and organizations on campus that are spreading awareness, such as the Black Student Union and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are striving to keep the conversation of Black History alive beyond just the month of February.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Chapman aims to provide curriculum and resources to promote equity and diversity in partnership with local communities and outreach programs.
“Black History Month is a special month because we get to be more vocal about that,” said Alannah Lockitt, a law student and member of the DEI office. “We have permission to say, ‘I'm Black and I'm proud,’ and these are the beautiful things about being Black, and I wear it everyday.”
As chair elect for the Western Region of the National Black Law Student Association and recipient for the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association (TMBA) and the Langston Bar Association Scholarships, Lockitt hopes to see the rates of matriculation for Black law students at Chapman University increase.
“I think especially being in a predominantly non-Black environment, we feel kind of guilty about sharing Black history,” said Lockitt. “Because we feel like people don't really want to hear it, so February just gives us an opportunity to shed that guilt and share the beauty and the triumph of being black in America.”
Working closely with the DEI office, Lockitt has taken part in special projects promoting black excellence, previously contributing in a panel event bringing attention to the intersectionality of Black and disabled women. Panelists Akilah Cadet and Rev. Rainey Dock Matthews spoke about their work and experiences as Black and disabled women.
Planning the event in collaboration with Lockitt and Misty Levingston, the director of Black excellence and achievement, was Adetokunbo “Toks” Opeifa, Vice President of Membership of Black Student Union.
“Building community is very important to me,” Opeifa said. “Being not only a Black woman, but a Black disabled woman with two immigrant parents, I understand how hard that can come by.”
Opeifa said that her goal at Chapman is to help facilitate and coordinate events and initiatives that curate experiences to unite Black Students, so she provided the panel “Living With Intersectionality: Black Disabled Women Across Generations.”
“I want the general Chapman community to know that these events we host are for everyone, black or not. We need to learn about one another to move forward,” said Opeifa.
Lockitt insists that the Black community needs people who will take action and speak up.
“We are looking for advocates, not allies,” Lockitt said. “There’s ones who believe that things will never change, and there’s another type of person that says somebody else will do it, somebody else will take up that torch. Both of them are just as bad as the other.”
According to Lockitt, having frequent conversations about the issues that are affecting Black individuals and sharing experiences so that people have a better understanding of the challenges Black people face is how the Chapman community can be more cognizant in helping one another beyond the month of just February.
“It’s important that our non-Black counterparts become advocates, and they speak up when they see injustice,” said Lockitt. “Because for us, we're not believed.”
To help with that, Levingston works to bring the community together in efforts to keep Black History Month ongoing throughout the year.
“I consider myself a community resource,” said Levingston. “I hosted a scholarship dinner for Homecoming that connected the founding Black Student Union members with current members. I make sure that we have a variety of programs that educate the campus on both historic and contemporary topics.”
Levingston also keeps the conversation of Black culture going in her personal life.
“My sister and I share family stories and sayings with our children, nieces and nephews that my great-grandparents and grandparents told us,” said Levingston. “And (we) make traditional foods during the holidays and family dinners.”
Black Student Union (BSU) is a club here at Chapman that strives to be a safe environment for the university's Black community and allies.
President of BSU, screenwriting major senior Khyra Stiner, seeks to help the community to avoid limiting the celebration of Black culture to only one month of the year.
“Our goal is to celebrate and acknowledge Black History and the power of Blackness all year round, but February is a solid chance for us to share that with the rest of the student body,” said Stiner.
With the many challenges that Black students face at a university like Chapman, Stiner hopes to curate a safe space for the BSU attendees to be there for one another.
“During our weekly meetings, we like to incorporate check-ins with the members,” said Stiner. “Being a Black person at a predominantly white institution such as Chapman can be a hard and unique experience. At the end of the day, BSU wants to create a safe and welcoming environment on campus.”
As Black History Month unfolds during the month of February, the Chapman community is committed to ensuring that not only Black individuals, but also those with intersecting identities, are recognized and celebrated.
“I think one month is far too short of a time to dedicate to this learning and support,” said Stiner. “To me, Black History Month is a chance to celebrate Blackness and encourage others to do the same, during February and beyond.”
With the help of the Chapman community, every month presents an opportunity to be recognized as Black History Month.