Campus News

By Sara Myers

We’ve been speaking to Rockford University students and alumni about Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the university will highlight different individuals and their thoughts about the historic month and its importance.

We spoke with RU’s Black Student Union President Mykal Brown on what Black History Month means to him and how he celebrates. Brown is a business administration major with a focus in marketing. He plans to enroll in RU’s MBA program after graduating in spring 2023.

Brown and BSU are planning multiple events to engage and educate the campus all month long.

At 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, BSU will hold a Black History Month Movie Night in Scarborough Auditorium to watch Judas and the Black Messiah. Food and drinks will be available.

Other events include:

• Bowling Night Feb. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Don Carter Lanes, 4007 E. State St., Rockford.
• The Third Annual Juke Jam Feb. 24 starting at 9 p.m. in Scarborough Hall.

Here’s Brown’s thoughts on Black History Month.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

How do you celebrate Black History Month?

Brown: A lot of the celebrating is done through BSU. I also like to immerse myself in history. There are so many different stories and things to learn just on why the world is the way it is.

I also love being more outspoken throughout the year, but especially around this time of year. It is really just a big month for me to be myself. Just show everybody that as a group of people, we come in all different shades, and we’re different just like anybody else.

Just showing off who I am as a person, I think that really honors and celebrates Black History Month.

Name a Black figure that you admire, and why?

Brown: I’m going to go with Madam CJ Walker. Walker has been super impactful on my life. Just hearing her story of how she came through her struggles and overcame everything to be the first, not only woman millionaire but also African American. She did that through her beauty (product) lines. She was really big in hair. (Her story) was really impactful for me because I’m a business administration major, so I really love everything that surrounds business, all the intricacies and how people handle money.

Why do you think Black History Month is still relevant today?

Brown: Black History Month is still relevant today. If we don’t know our history, history tends to repeat itself so it’s nice to have the education side of Black History. I feel like when you learn more about another culture, you’re less likely to be discriminative toward them because you understand them from a person-to-person standpoint. 

Anyone with questions can email Brown at Mb177761@rockford.edu. 

For more on Rockford University’s Black History Month Celebration, head to Rockford.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn.