MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Black History Month activities and the committee that drives the programming are spotlighted in the February edition of “Out of the Blue,” the television magazine program of Middle Tennessee State University.
Danielle Rochelle, director of MTSU’ Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, talked with show host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the Marketing and Communications Division, about what’s planned throughout the month of February.
“I think it’s really important for everyone to understand the history behind Black Americans, African Americans within this country, and how that has impacted every piece of our lives and how it continues to show up in our day-to-day lives,” Rochelle said. “Celebrating Black History Month on MTSU’s campus helps to reinforce that because it allows our students to continue to see the importance of what we do and where the people within the Black community have come from.
“It also gives us an opportunity to look how far we as an institution have come.”
You can watch the full segment below:
Black History Month kicked off on Feb. 3 with student fellowship and food from highlighted small Black-owned businesses. Anchoring the monthlong observance was the annual Unity Luncheon held Feb. 6 to recognize the “unsung heroes” of the community, with the Rev. Jason Scales serving as keynote speaker for the sold-out event.
The second week of February features the “fan favorite” talent show, “Showtime at the Apollo,” set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Student Union Ballroom. The African Student Organization is stepping into the role to host the newly revamped “Night in Africa Fashion Show” from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Student Union Ballroom.
“They wanted to make sure that we were continuing to highlight fashion from within the Black community,” Rochelle explained.
The keynote address, set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Keathley University Center Theater, was still in the planning stages as of this writing. But the program will follow the nationwide Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” which highlights the impact of Black Americans in the workforce.
Rochelle also underscored the importance of the Black History Month committee. “I want people to understand, it’s not just a single person doing the lifting,” Rochelle noted. “There is a full committee of wonderful people from our campus.”
And new members are welcome to join, she added.
To learn more about upcoming events, visit mtsu.edu/aahm. Find out how to get involved with the planning committee by emailing Rochelle at danielle.rochelle@mtsu.edu.
“Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.
It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.
Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.
— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)
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