Galloway, N.J.–  The Unified Black Students Society raised the red, black and green Pan-African flag in a ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 1, marking the start of activities for Black History Month at Stockton University.

“Although a lot has been accomplished, we still have a lot left to do,” U.B.S.S. president Alexsandra Panton told the crowd that braved the nippy weather and snow outside the Arts and Sciences Building.

Distinguished Professor of Social Work and Africana Studies Patricia Reid-Merritt led the traditional libation ceremony honoring and recognizing  ancestors and “those who continue the fight.”

Program Coordinator Tierra Houston sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing."  

Three members of the Stockton community were honored by U.B.S.S. for their work and commitment to Stockton and the Black community. They were Reid-Merritt, Stockton Atlantic City Chief Operating Officer Brian Jackson, and Assistant Director of Student Development Shedia Laguer.

Assistant Professor of Africana Studies Wilbert St. Hilaire, (also known as Kimoni Yaw Ajani), reminded the audience to “remember the meaning and significance” of the flag, representing Black for the people, red for their struggle and sacrifices and green for life and the African homeland.

U.B.S.S. Vice President Malikah Stafford reminded the crowd that Black History is “not just a month, it’s every day, every second. It lives through you. You are Black History. We are Black History.”

Laguer encouraged students to attend the many events that are happening throughout the semester.

“Feel the experience,” she said.

National Black History Month started as a method of remembrance for the events and people in the history of the African diaspora. Today, it is an important month of both remembrance, recognition, and education for people of any color. 

Visit OspreyHub and the Black History Month website for more information on upcoming events.

Events scheduled for the month at Stockton include:

Feb. 2

• Afro Latin/Colorism Talk Hosted by Los Latinos Unidos; 4:30 p.m. Classroom C-136.
• General Meeting - ASO Hosted by African Student Organization; 5 p.m. Classroom F-221.

Feb. 3

• Movie Night - King Richard Hosted by: Student Development; 8:30 p.m. Campus Center Theatre.
• Weekly Meeting - UBSS Hosted by: Unified Black Students Society; 4:30 p.m., Classroom C-102.

Feb. 5

• Movie Night - King Richard Hosted by: Student Development; 8:30 p.m., Campus Center Theatre.

Feb. 8

• TogetHER Time Hosted by: TogetHER; 4 p.m. WGSC Lounge, F-103.

Feb. 9

• General Meeting - ASO Hosted by African Student Organization; 5 p.m., Classroom F-221.
• Highest Praise Gospel Choir Meeting Hosted by Highest Praise Gospel Choir; 8 p.m. H-102.

Feb. 10

• "Erasing the Silences of Black Victims during World War II and the Holocaust" Hosted by Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, 4:30 p.m. (Zoom).
• Weekly Meeting - UBSS Hosted by Unified Black Students Society, 4:30 p.m. Classroom C-102.

Feb. 11

• PAC Concert with Young Black Violinists: ‘Sons of Mystro’ at 7:30 p.m. Stockton Performing Arts Center. (The first 100 students to mention UBSS at the PAC receive FREE tickets to enjoy violinists while they interpret reggae classics, American pop songs and their own creations.)

Feb. 15

• Meet the Entrepreneurs (Black Entrepreneurship) Hosted by The School of Business & The NJ Small Business Development Center at Stockton University 4:30-6 p.m. (Zoom).

Feb. 16

• General Meeting - ASO Hosted by African Student Organization Classroom; 5 p.m. F-221.
• Highest Praise Gospel Choir Meeting Hosted by Highest Praise Gospel Choir; 8 p.m. H-102.

Feb. 17

• Hip Hop Stealthing and Rape Culture Hosted by The Women's Gender & Sexuality Center; 5 p.m. Board of Trustees Room, Campus Center
• Black History Month Trivia Hosted by Stockton Entertainment Team; 6 p.m. Campus Center Coffee House.
• Movie Night - If Beale Street Could Talk. 8:30 p.m. at Student Development. Campus Center Theatre.

Feb. 19

• Movie Night - If Beale Street Could Talk; 8:30 p.m. at Student Development. Campus Center Theatre.
• Cirque Zuma Zuma African Acrobats; 2 p.m. at Performing Arts Center.

Feb. 21

• Unspoken History: The Erasure of the Origins of Muslim African Americans Hosted by the Muslim Student Association with UBSS, WGSC, TogetHER, Fashion & Beauty Club, ASO, and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People); 6 p.m. Campus Center Event Room.
• Highest Praise Gospel Choir Meeting Hosted by Highest Praise Gospel Choir; 8 p.m. H-102.

Feb. 22

• TogetHER Time Hosted by TogetHER WGSC Lounge; 4 p.m. F-103.
• Study with Sankofa; 4:30 p.m. Atlantic City John F. Scarpa Academic Center Room 215.
• 21CCC Black History Month Showcase hosted by 21st Century C Club, LLU & UBSS, 8 – 11 p.m. Campus Center Theater and Gallery.

Feb. 23

• Highest Praise Gospel Choir Meeting Hosted by: Highest Praise Gospel Choir; 8 p.m. H-102.
• General Meeting - ASO Hosted by African Student Organization; 5 p.m. Classroom F-221.

Feb. 24

• Black History Month Panel Hosted by School of Arts & Humanities; 2 p.m. Campus Center Theatre & Gallery.
• A Day in the Life of Black Healthcare Professionals; 4:30 p.m. Africana Studies Campus Center Theatre.
• Presentation: Afro-descendants in Latin America Hosted by Dr. Janice Joseph; 4:30 p.m. Classroom C-102.
• Brazilian Carnaval Workshop Hosted by Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity; 7 - 9 p.m., Campus Center Meeting Room 5.
• Harriet - Cinema in the City Hosted by Stockton Atlantic City; 8 p.m. Stockton AC Residential Complex - B119/120

Feb. 25

• The Black "Met" Gala: A Night Essence & Ebony Hosted by Unified Black Students Society. Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise 7 p.m. - Transportation available

FEB. 26

• Harriet - Cinema in the City Hosted by Stockton Atlantic City Stockton AC Residential Complex; 8 p.m. B119/120.

Feb. 28

• Black History Month Vigil Hosted by Student Development, UBSS, & Stockton National Pan-Hellenic Council; 5 p.m. Lakeside Lodge & Oasis.
• Highest Praise Gospel Choir Meeting Hosted by: Highest Praise Gospel Choir, 8 p.m. H-102.

-Story by Diane D'Amico
- Photos by Eliza Hunt