Black History Month Kick-Off Event

Each year, The University of Houston-Downtown celebrates Black History Month and the many contributions made by notable figures within the Black community. Throughout the month of February, the University will honor and reflect upon this history through a series of programs that include speaking events from high-profile leaders, open forums on the Black experience, and a Black History Month Kick-Off celebration featuring Lora King, the daughter of Rodney King.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Lora will speak at UHD’s Black History Kick-Off Event, "We Stand With You," where she will discuss her father’s story of police brutality, its impact 30-years later and how she hopes to create change through positive but critical, hard discussions.

The kick-off event will begin on the UHD South Deck located on the third level of the Academic Building and One Main Building at 11 a.m. with opening remarks from UHD Student Government Association President Michelle Duvall followed by a welcome from UHD President Loren J. Blanchard.

Joining King on Tuesday is special guest Roshawn Evans, author of Stolen Identity and Co-founder of Pure Justice and UHD Alumna and Sex Trafficking Survivor Nissi Hamilton. The event will be moderated by Dr. Vida Robertson, Associate Professor of English and Director of the Center for Critical Race Studies at UHD.  

"This event is just a start of what is to come throughout the month of February," said Duvall. "We will be engaging in conversations regarding the obstacles the Black student body faces, we will be educating our students, and coming up with actions to make a difference. Policy is frozen power, and until we start influencing it, we will continue to repeat history. "

"Black History Month is a time for celebration for the many contributions and achievements of African-Americans," said Eugene Bernard, Director of Student Life. "We are thrilled about our Black History Kickoff event which brings life to narratives we’ve witnessed throughout history, yet also resonates with stories of today. African-American culture is so rich with resilience that anyone could relate to it. The experience that will come with this event teaches us that the very thing intended to break us can be turned into empowerment, encouragement, and a revolution toward justice. If we pause for a moment, we will see that Black history is not just for Black people, we are all part of the movement."