Month celebrated by fashion, events planned
Andrew Riggs / The Collegian
One of the events featured during African People’s History Month is the African-American Fashion show, which featured authentic African clothing. |
By Valerie Westen
The Collegian
Fresno State is celebrating the African People’s History Month by holding a series of events throughout the month of February.
Eight events have been planned for the month both on and off campus, with the collaboration of the community and other colleges. Events include United Gospel Night and the African-American Fashion show. The fashion show was a good example of the campus and community coming together, Francine Oputa, Coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center and one of the organizers of the African History Month, said. Oputa said the events are a collaborative effort. The fashion show on Friday night was a good example of the campus and community coming together.
Models from different ethnicities wore traditional and modern clothes from Ghana and Ethiopia.
Brittney Dixon, biology major, said she enjoyed discovering a culture she was not familiar with through fashion.
“The African-American History month is a time for me to reflect back on what our leaders of the past did for me to have the opportunities I have today.” Dixon said.
There are six events left on the calendar. The next event, the Black Student Mixer, will be held in the University Center on Monday. At the Mixer, students and alumni in professions around Fresno State will have the opportunity to meet and network with one another.
“It will be a great opportunity for African-American students to find other students in their major to connect with and feel a sense of belonging,” Oputa said.
The event expected to have the best turn out will be the Step Show at the Veterans Memorial auditorium on Feb. 18, Oputa said.
Pamela Tate, the event’s coordinator, said she is proud of the success of this year’s planning. She said they got a late start, in December, but was satisfied with the over all progress and results. For next year, they intend to begin planning for African History Month in April.
Tate is especially looking forward to the United Gospel Night on Feb. 19. Fresno State students will meet with other students from Fresno City College and Fresno Pacific University to perform.
Oputa encouraged students to attend events they would be interested in. “There is something for everyone. Dance, music, fashion, etc,” Oputa said.
Celebrating Black History began in 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D., initiated “Negro History Week.” Woodson, a historian, chose the second week in February because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
“Even though our history is celabrated during the shortest month of the year, it’s good to give recognition to what we have overcome.” La Toya White, a mass communication student, said.
“We are proud of who we are. We are Africans and Americans,” Oputa said. “And hopefully our dream won’t die here at Fresno State.”
For more information about African People’s History Month, contact the Africana and American Indian Studies Program at 278-2832.
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