By Mikayla Smith

Black History Month recently passed and it was the biggest it’s ever been at High Point University.

Black History Month is 28 days of recognizing the accomplishments that the African American community has contributed to society from past to present.

Students and staff around campus spoke about how they spent their Black History Month, starting with the Resident Directors here at HPU.

Charles Fennell is a Resident Director for University Center 2.

“For Black History Month, I celebrated the culture in a celebratory way where I immersed myself with histories,” said Fennell. “Speaking with my grandparents, my family and looking at studies that pertain to Black history.”

Jadah Nicholson, a Resident Director for Wanek, expressed the different places she went.

“For Black History Month, I celebrated every day, but especially when I went to some Black-owned restaurants, and I also went to some Black-owned boutiques,” said Nicholson.

Nadia Sharpe, a Resident Director for the Women’s Complex, went outside the city of High Point to immerse herself further in Black culture.

“For Black History Month, I enjoyed myself by going to the African American History Museum in D.C. with some of our friends and my favorite part of that was the third floor where we talked about culture, music and everything Black history,” said Sharpe.

Each staff member enjoyed learning new things and that is what Black History Month is all about.

Alon Parker, a senior at HPU, describes his favorite parts of his Black History Month and how they relate back to his leadership roles on campus.

“I’m currently a Professional Sales Manager here at High Point University as well as a senior, and I serve in major leadership positions here at High Point University,” said Parker. “One of the leadership positions that I’m involved in is the Student Government Association serving as the President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as the President of the Illustrious Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Throughout Black History Month, there were many events that I was able to participate in and be able to make an impact in as well. And the first event that I kind of wanted to show face to and really explain and really kind of go in depth into was the Black Student Union Gala. I was able to co-host it with another member of the BSU and it was an amazing experience. Just to be able to bring people together, but also being able to see Black Excellence at its fullest and being able to see everyone come together, look amazing and show how it is to be Black Excellence here at High Point University. Usually, there has never really been many events as well as there haven’t been many opportunities for African American males and females to come together and celebrate each other altogether.”

Many student-led organizations had events all month dedicated to Black history and educating their club members.

Hillel had a “Donut Discriminate” event, Interfaith United hosted “Interfaith Black History and Decolonization” and Kappa Alpha Psi’s Valentine-themed event was called “Heart and Soul.”

Other organizations also put on events that touched on Black history facts, micro-aggression workshops and panels where African American students gave insight on what they’ve experience as students at HPU and what can be done to make things better.

Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

HPU students took the right steps this February to educate people on what can sometimes be overlooked.

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Mikayla Smith is a senior at High Point University majoring in Journalism. For contact inquiries, please email msmith10@highpoint.edu.