In honor of Black History Month, the NSU Tampa Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a special event and Dine & Learn on Feb. 23, 2013 to celebrate and commemorate the accomplishments of African-Americans. The campus Atrium, decorated magnificently with a collection of African-American inspired art and literature of varying subjects from slavery to President Obama, inspired an atmosphere in which guests celebrated and honored the diversity of Black achievement in the U.S.
The event began with motivational speaker, Justin Mitchell, a certified personal trainer in Tampa, Florida, who addressed the audience about physical, emotional, and career wellness. Next, students, faculty, staff, and guests attentively watched and listened to the powerful recording of, “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tangella Pilcher, Tampa SGA secretary, then recited Poet Laureate Maya Angelou’s poignant poem, “Still I Rise”. As a final tribute, Mischelle Anderson, Tampa SGA treasurer, read an excerpt from Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall’s profound argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954. The legal case, Brown v. the Board of Education, that resulted in a landmark decision ending school segregation is, as noted by Ms. Anderson, not only what eventually would allow her and her fellow students an opportunity to attend Nova–it also paved the way for the creation of new communities and friends. The event concluded with those in attendance holding reflective conversations and partaking of a unique array of Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine from local restaurants offered by the NSU Tampa SGA.
The Black History Month celebration was a great opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and guests to come together and celebrate the extensive diversity that continues to exist in communities across America. The SGA looks forward to hosting more such events and making new friends, while celebrating those more familiar. For more information about SGA at NSU Tampa, please e-mail SGATampa@nova.edu .