A Vibrant Showcase of Culture and Legacy
February 18, 2025 by The NAU Library
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The NAU library recently hosted a memorable event celebrating Black History Month on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This captivating event highlighted the rich and varied contributions of African Americans with a vibrant showcase of arts, fashion, literacy, and spirituality. The event drew nearly 100 enthusiastic participants, making it a truly remarkable celebration.
The event kicked off with a vibrant cultural fashion show, emphasizing stunning pieces inspired by the diverse cultures and traditions of various African regions. It was truly a joy to see our students and staff proudly modeling authentic attire. This was followed by a powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem for its profound significance to Black culture in the USA. The event continued with a stirring recitation of Sojourner Truth’s iconic speech, “Ain’t I a Woman.”
Next, the audience was enthralled by an original spoken word poem titled “Legacy of Kings,” which explored the contributions of numerous Black pioneers to America’s development. Following this, three of our students engaged the audience with interactive “Who Am I?” questions, sparking lively participation. The event concluded with a dynamic finale featuring African and hip-hop-inspired dance performance by our talented Computer Science student.
Additionally, the library’s display panels, easel boards, and book display table offered fascinating insights into the lifestyle of African Americans before and after the Civil War. They also highlighted the achievements of prominent Black figures who excelled in fields such as business administration, computer science, criminal justice, and education.
As attendees departed the packed event, they were treated to refreshments, bookmarks, and photo station snapshots. To gauge attendees’ satisfaction, the library conducted a feedback survey, revealing that 98 percent of the 63 respondents were extremely satisfied. Buoyed by this success, the NAU library is now enthusiastic about exploring new ways to continue to positively impact the university community.
Written by The NAU Library
