It’s not commonly known, but J.A. Burr, an African American, patented an improved rotary blade lawn mower on May 9, 1899.
Facts about black inventors, along with an exploration of the richness of African-influenced music, dance and food, were featured during “Umoja: A Celebration of Black History,” presented Saturday in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom, Overman Student Center, Pittsburg State University.
Sponsored by the PSU Office of Student Diversity, the event kicked off the university’s celebration of Black History Month.
The theme is taken from “Umoja,” a Swahili word meaning “unity.”
“It was chosen for two reasons,” said Cathy Lee Arcuino, PSU associate director of international programs and services. “We wanted to emphasize the bringing together of people from all walks of life, and the common thread that unites all countries impacted by the slave trade.”
The program started with “Harriet Tubman: Let It Shine.” Monique Mack, as Tubman, talks with a much younger woman, Loisina Ambeyi, and reflects on her experiences in guiding escaped slaves to freedom on the underground railroad. “Sure, I was scared, but God told me He was going to guide my path, and He did,” she says.
Members of the Black Student Association demonstrated, through performance and videos, the “Evolution of African American Dance. Ten audience members were selected to participate in “Clash of the Minds,” a black history game show, and gospel selections were presented by a choir directed by Arlecia Elkamil.
Keynote speaker was Dr. Edith Coleman, Kansas City, a retired educator and graduate of Girard High School and PSU.
She said that she was attending PSU in the 1960s when the public accommodations law was passed, essentially making it illegal for public places such as restaurants to refuse service to persons of color. She was frequently asked to discuss the law by various churches and groups in the city.
“When my car was parked here at the university, I would come out and find threatening notes on my car, signed by the KKK,” Coleman said. “I talked to my father, and he told me, ‘I believe somebody bigger than you or me will look after you’.”
She also proudly discussed her aunt, Lucinda Todd, who was one of 13 plaintiffs in the historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka suit decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled that school districts which established separate schools for black students denied those students an equal educational opportunity.
During intermission, those attending sampled African-influenced foods from several nations.
“I think the event went very well, and I liked the diversity of the audience,” said Leslye Steptoe, PSU director of student diversity programs. “We had students, people from the community, international and domestic, young and old. It was awesome.”
Johnnie Brown, community member who sang with the gospel choir, said she felt the event was successful. “But I think we need to do things like this all year round,” she said, “and not just zoom in on one month.”
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It’s not commonly known, but J.A. Burr, an African American, patented an improved rotary blade lawn mower on May 9, 1899.
Facts about black inventors, along with an exploration of the richness of African-influenced music, dance and food, were featured during “Umoja: A Celebration of Black History,” presented Saturday in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom, Overman Student Center, Pittsburg State University.
Sponsored by the PSU Office of Student Diversity, the event kicked off the university’s celebration of Black History Month.
The theme is taken from “Umoja,” a Swahili word meaning “unity.”
“It was chosen for two reasons,” said Cathy Lee Arcuino, PSU associate director of international programs and services. “We wanted to emphasize the bringing together of people from all walks of life, and the common thread that unites all countries impacted by the slave trade.”
The program started with “Harriet Tubman: Let It Shine.” Monique Mack, as Tubman, talks with a much younger woman, Loisina Ambeyi, and reflects on her experiences in guiding escaped slaves to freedom on the underground railroad. “Sure, I was scared, but God told me He was going to guide my path, and He did,” she says.
Members of the Black Student Association demonstrated, through performance and videos, the “Evolution of African American Dance. Ten audience members were selected to participate in “Clash of the Minds,” a black history game show, and gospel selections were presented by a choir directed by Arlecia Elkamil.
Keynote speaker was Dr. Edith Coleman, Kansas City, a retired educator and graduate of Girard High School and PSU.
She said that she was attending PSU in the 1960s when the public accommodations law was passed, essentially making it illegal for public places such as restaurants to refuse service to persons of color. She was frequently asked to discuss the law by various churches and groups in the city.
“When my car was parked here at the university, I would come out and find threatening notes on my car, signed by the KKK,” Coleman said. “I talked to my father, and he told me, ‘I believe somebody bigger than you or me will look after you’.”
She also proudly discussed her aunt, Lucinda Todd, who was one of 13 plaintiffs in the historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka suit decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled that school districts which established separate schools for black students denied those students an equal educational opportunity.
During intermission, those attending sampled African-influenced foods from several nations.
“I think the event went very well, and I liked the diversity of the audience,” said Leslye Steptoe, PSU director of student diversity programs. “We had students, people from the community, international and domestic, young and old. It was awesome.”
Johnnie Brown, community member who sang with the gospel choir, said she felt the event was successful. “But I think we need to do things like this all year round,” she said, “and not just zoom in on one month.”
