Marietta College announces robust schedule for 2019 Black History Month

by Elizabeth Nedved

Marietta, Ohio (01/30/2019) — The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be sponsoring multiple events for Marietta College students and members of the campus community throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month.

"Our goal with Black History Month is to provide the campus and community with various opportunities to engage and celebrate the history of African Americans on the American fabric," said Dr. Nkenge Friday, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Diversity and Inclusion. "While we have invited a noted civil servant in the Obama Administration, a renowned poet, an award-winning African acrobatic team, a former United Nations legal expert, we are also organizing student-led events that will provide insight into the experiences of our historically underserved populations."

The celebration will kick-off on Friday, February 1st with Multicultural Friday, including a film viewing at 8:00 p.m. at the Multicultural Student Center. Other notable events include a visit by Professor Alphonso Gaskins, Former United Nations Rule of Law Expert, at noon, Monday, February 11th in the Andrews Hall Great Room, Zuzu African Acrobats in The Gathering Place at 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 18th, and Shirlethia Franklin, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General for President Barack Obama at 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 25th, at the Alma McDonough Auditorium.

"There is an indelible mark African Americans have had on the history of this nation, we are in a time in American history where there is a reclaiming of histories and stories from multiple populations and groups and our goal in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to celebrate this renewed sense of pride in the African American community through performances and events that emphasize the arts, education, international scope, imprint on policies and technology," Friday said. "We have created a month that is filled with engagement opportunities and we welcome all members of the community to honor this month alongside us."

For any inquiries, contact diversity@marietta.edu. The complete schedule of events is as follows:

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy back in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers 49 majors and is consistently ranked as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.

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