With the calendar officially flipping to February, Waynesburg University’s Diversity and Belonging team is hard at work for Black History Month.

Like they’ve done for several years, Waynesburg has set up a month-long speaker series, filled with stories and experiences from people with diverse backgrounds. The series will continue on Feb. 20 at noon and Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center.

Assistant Dean of Students Adrienne Tharp was instrumental in setting up the series, but it wouldn’t come without help from multiple different parties. She noted Associate Dean of Students Pat Bristor and Chaplin Josh Sumpter as those who contributed to the “collaborative” effort.

Bristor’s Student Activities Board has designated Black History Month as this month’s theme. Throughout the month, certain activities and other things will be centered around diversity. In the church, Sumpter has set up a series of his own, with black individuals speaking at Tuesday chapels all month long. 

Tharp also acknowledged President of the Black Student Union, Ross Owens.

“Too often we find ourselves in these echo chambers of listening to like-minded people, and in doing so we turn a deaf ear to other people who have legitimate opinions,” Owens wrote in an email interview.

Owens played a big role in helping put the series together and assisting in the selection of some of the speakers.

“The unique thing is, while the speaker series is in honor and celebration of Black History Month, it’s more multicultural,” Tharp said. “It’s kind of neat that we have a couple different people coming in from different areas of expertise and background.”  

The first speaker was Jason Davis, who’s the Principal Teacher and Headmaster of Davis Kenpo-Arnis Ju Jutsu.

Throughout his presentation, Davis focused on Martial Arts through African and Japanese pioneers. It was those experiences that cater to everyone that can help the popularity of the series. 

“I think there’s a lot of parallel and commonality amongst all of us,” Tharp said. “ I think it’s important for us to see that we all have a journey and we all have a story, and we can all kind of learn and grow from that.”

It’s the history that Owens is looking back on every single day.

“All people, regardless of race or ethnicity, should be elated that this country has made the strides that it has and has become more equitable,” Owens wrote.

Dr. Cornelius Coleman, the University’s head football coach, also assisted in the series.

Coleman spoke as part of the series last year.

There are events going on outside of the speaker series. Eberly Library is also playing a part by highlighting specific books throughout the month that promote diversity.
Owens stated, “While the work is not done, we can look back at our history and the black men and women who fought for us to make it this far and allow them to encourage us to keep pressing forward.” For the remainder of the month, Waynesburg will continue to promote black history