Durham Tech students celebrate Black History Month with virtual activities

Durham Tech students are celebrating Black History Month in virtual activities this year. 

The activities, which help educate and engage students, staff, and faculty, celebrate and honor African American people, events, achievements, and history. 

Black History Month reflects on the adversities and progressions of Black people and is a time to learn and shed light on the role of African Americans in United States history. 

“Some of the history of Durham is not so great. African Americans in Durham were not always treated in an inclusive or equitable environment and its time that we change that,” said Gilbert Umberger, Student Engagement Coordinator at Durham Tech. 

Umberger said several activities for the month included: 

•    Each Monday in February, the Student Government Association will offer a Black History Month Trivia Quiz. Participants also have the opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card. 

•    Each Friday, Durham Tech is offering a ‘Did you Know’ education piece. This social media and email series will highlight some of the Black History that originated in the Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill area. This series will allow students, staff, and faculty to learn more about the local history. 

•    Durham Tech will be offering a virtual Black History Month Poetry Café on February 18 at 6 p.m. The Poetry Cafe provides students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to come together as a community. Individuals are invited to share their talents through spoken word, music, and song.  

•    Durham Tech will also host Let’s Talk About It on February 24 at 2 p.m. that will highlight the history of Durham. Some of the panelist include Eddie Davis, former Durham City Councilman and retired Durham Public Schools educator; and Laura Biediger, Equitable Community Engagement Strategist, Neighborhood Improvement Services, City of Durham.

“The pandemic has been tough on all of us. We cannot be together in person but having the Poetry Cafe virtually this year will allow our community to come together, express ourselves, be inclusive of one another, and grow” said Umberger.

Join Durham Tech as students, staff, and faculty learn and celebrate Black History Month as a community, view more upcoming events. 

For more information, contact Desiree Allison-Towson, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.