Joint Statement on the Celebration of Black History Month

February is Black History Month - a time which we dedicate to celebrating the accomplishments of Black Americans as well as reflecting on more than 400 years of Black history and heritage in the United States. Historian, Carter G. Woodson discovered that Black history and accomplishments have always been minimized or erased in one fashion or another. This is why in February 1926, Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) sponsored the first national Negro History Week. This event sparked interest among communities nationwide. Over the following decades, Negro History Week transitioned into Black History Month during which celebrations, history lessons, performances, and lectures were hosted. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, and every President since has followed suits. Today, Black History Month is a time to honor contributions in areas of civil rights, activism, politics, science, and culture while also proclaiming that  Black History is American History. 

For our community at Butler University, Black History Month is an opportunity to honor and recognize the contributions that were developed on our very own campus by the students that came before us. Some notable graduates and students from Butler University are Gertrude Mahorney, the first documented Black student to graduate in 1887, Todd Duncan and his impact on American opera, Janet Langhart Cohen and her work in journalism, and many others who have impacted the world in a multitude of ways. Another great achievement developed at Butler University was the founding of Sigma Gamma Rho, a member of The Divine Nine, a historically Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO’s). Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven school teachers and has since grown to over 500 chapters across the world. The centennial of Sigma Gamma Rho is this coming November and will be hosted on Butler’s campus. If you are interested in volunteering and assisting with this event please contact SGA’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Student Belonging. If you are interested in joining or learning more about the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, please contact Michaela Ivory, the Alpha Chapter President.

For those wanting to learn more about the U.S. Black History Month’s theme of 2022, Black Health and Wellness, please explore these additional resources:

Additionally, we highly encourage all students to join, support, and attend events prepared and hosted by the Black Student Union (@butler_bsu) for this Black History Month on Campus:

  • Panel & Networking - February 5 

  • Living Single - February 8

  • Real Talk Discussion - February 16

  • Community Service - February 17

  • Family Feud - February 21

  • Wild ‘n Out - February 23

  • Unity Ball - February 26

  • Blackout Day - February 28

We urge all members of the Butler University student body to participate in Black History Month events taking place across our campus. Together we can listen, learn, and commit to action towards a better future.

In Service,

Will Gigerich, Student Body President

Miki Kawahara, Student Body Vice President

Cade Chezem, Speaker of the Student Senate

Maya Sanchez, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Student Belonging

February 1, 2022 at 12:00pm

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