Welcome. The Black History Month Planning Committee is excited to engage the entire Andrews University and surrounding Berrien Springs communities in a month long recognition and celebration of the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of African Americans and people of the African diaspora in the United States. Black History is our history.
National African American History Month had its origins in 1915 through the work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. In 1975, President Ford issued a 'Message on the Observance of Black History Week' and in 1976 issued another 'Message on the Observance of Black History Month,' also known as African American History Month, after the ASALH expanded commemoration of Black history to all of February. Click here for the History link.
Today, Black History Month is celebrated across the nation by schools and higher educational institutions, churches and civic organizations. Andrews University celebrates this opportunity for meaningful dialogue across campus, as students, faculty, and staff explore what history teaches us for a better future. Our theme for 2010 is What Meaneth These Stones: Black History for This Generation.
The celebration will commence with a prayer summit titled 'A Prayer for Andrews University, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World' on Monday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Seminary Chapel. On Sabbath, February 6, Dr. Ron C. Smith, executive secretary of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, will deliver the annual Black History sermon at the Pioneer Memorial Church (first and second services). Later that day, a panel discussion will be held in the Seminary Chapel at 4:00 p.m.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate, teach and learn. Please join us for Black History chapel on February 3rd, Sabbath worship at PMC on February 6th, our special Black History Tuesday Choices Series or any one of the educational forums and worship experiences throughout the month.