Students and staff came together to celebrate and learn about Black history in the Student Union Conference Center Feb. 13. The celebration was hosted by a multitude of groups at LMC including Umoja, Student Life, EOPS, Transfer and Career Services, Ethnic and Social Justice Studies, Equity and Inclusion, and the Library,

The atmosphere was lit up with the healing sound of music coming from Brothas of the Drum. The group did “call and response” exercises where they hit their drums and the audience clapped along.

They played the djembe, a West African drum used as a holistic approach to help sick people. Drummer Michael Spencer describes the low tone of the drum as used for muscular healing and the high tone helps with blood flow. 

Some even got to play the djembe when the three drummers walked around with their instruments encouraging everyone to try it. Drummer and Ethnic Studies Professor Dr. Terence Elliott said that Brothas of the Drum’s goal is to help heal the community. The music also allowed everyone to learn more about Black history by highlighting a part of the culture.

“In most people’s culture all over the world, music is the foundation of culture,” Elliott said.

He adds the music played helped people speak to their ancestors, “They might have a favorite song and when you hear that song, you hear them.”

The learning did not stop there. Informational tables surrounded the room where students discussed prominent Black figures including Muhammad Ali, Ida B. Wells, Augusta Savage and many more. The information they presented was compiled from their own research, making it a learning experience for them as well.

Student Matthew Royse shared his knowledge about Martin Luther King at his table. Although Royse knew much about MLK already, he had fun revisiting his life. He also enjoyed other tables because he learned about figures he wasn’t familiar with like Frederick Douglass.

Ethnic Studies and Social Justice Studies Department Chair Adrianna Simone said that many people only knew about the most famous Black figures like MLK and Rosa Parks, so the event helped introduce more.

“This gave an opportunity to learn about a whole bunch of other important figures within this larger movement,” Simone said.

She added that celebrating Black history brings awareness to knowledge that oftentimes hasn’t been mainstreamed.

“This history and this knowledge and Black studies in general, it’s always been around,” Simone said. “This knowledge is there waiting for people to put it to the center, and so that’s what an event like this does.”

The Library provided books on each of the tables to deepen the understanding of the figures. Student Zee Lurlay said that checking out the books was her favorite part as it was exciting to read more about the history. Lurlay also admired everyone coming together, adding “There’s so many people here to learn about Black history. I think that’s a really beautiful thing.”

The celebration also helped promote inclusivity on campus.

“Coming on campus within any ethnicity, any race, you want to feel included,” said Roberto Delgado, Sr. Program Coordinator for Equity and Inclusion. “You want to feel like my culture is being represented.”

Program Coordinator for EOPS and Brothers of Excellence Andrew Murphy said he hopes students understand that Black history is always celebrated on campus.

He added, “LMC is committed to not just Black History Month through February, but all year long.”