By Ashton York
During Black History Month, the Multicultural Center (MC) at the University of Arkansas campus hosts several programs to honor and celebrate achievements of Black Americans. The MC also holds events to help Black students find resources for their own goals.
In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, according to National Geographic. In 1926, the group named the second week of February “Negro History Week” to focus on contributions that African Americans have had to U.S. history.
Black professors and the members of Black United Students at Kent State University proposed Black History Month in February 1969, according to NPR. The first celebration happened at Kent State a year later and lasted the entire month of February.
The week officially turned into Black History Month in 1976 when President Gerald Ford extended it to become the yearly Black History Month for the United States.
The observance of Black history has changed a lot since 1915. Black History Month is now “a time when the culture and contributions of African Americans take center stage,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Black History Month allows for libraries, museums and theaters to focus on Black creators and artists. Those who may not get the deserved attention for their works are lifted up and recognized.
Similar to Kent State’s Black United Students group who are dedicated to Black history and culture, the University of Arkansas has its own programs and organizations to talk about diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The Multicultural Center is an intersectional space in the Arkansas Union on campus. The Center hosts workshops and programs that promote inclusiveness and assist development of a diverse student body, according to the MC website.
The MC is vital for students who may not have a space where they feel like they belong.
During Black History Month this year, the MC was host for several events, including panel discussions and art exhibits. In February 2024, there will be a total of 15 MC events for Black History Month.
The point of these events is not only to teach Black history and culture but make students feel a sense of belonging.
The MC hosts similar events year-round for a diverse group of students. The center holds LGBTQ+ events and celebrates several cultures to reach a vast number of students.
On Reading Day, there is a pancake breakfast to help students get ready for finals week. Once finals week begins, the MC holds activities in the Union to give students free food and a break from studying.
The MC also holds events on the first Friday of each month to give UA stakeholders a chance to visit the Center, according to the MC website. The initiative allows individuals to share experiences beyond the students and faculty to involve a community dialogue.
There are about 13 staff members who work at the MC, and all are from different backgrounds. The Center also has several student workers who help with events.
Not only does the MC provide resources for university students, but it also has outreach opportunities for high schoolers.
Warrenesha Arnold, a student and local business owner, is a graduate assistant for the Multicultural Center. She is earning a master’s of science in product innovation while also working part-time for the Dean’s Office. Her business, Nyarai Skincare, specializes in natural, plant-based skincare.
Arnold said she helps the MC with College Access Corps, an outreach program aimed to connect with undergrad students at the UA who are interested in traveling home to share their college experience.
Students will go to their hometowns and give a presentation about their college experience or provide students with resources. The College Access initiative helps Arkansans prepare for college by delivering workshops and training to students and families.
Another MC program, Jump Start, helps high school seniors with the college process. The program assists students with admissions applications and looking for scholarships.
“Maybe they know that they want to go to college or not, but they get even more direct experience coming here,” Arnold said. “Touring the campus, having (the) opportunity to really connect with more people. It’s just a stronger connection that they have as seniors to really get that feel of college before they come.”
As part of the MC’s Black History Month events, Arnold hosted an event called “Empowering Through Entrepreneurship: Black in Business.”
The event provided university students with resources and connected them with local Black-owned businesses, departments on campus and organizations such as the Office of Entrepreneurship, Arnold said.
Panelists at the event talked about how to start a business, trademark a company and how to get a limited liability company (LLC).
“Overall, we did make an impact, even though there was a small group of people,” Arnold said.
Arnold said the MC has made a significant difference, especially in 2023. The Center will be closed for renovations in March and plans to host even more events for students when it returns in spring of 2025.
Although the MC has done a lot of good, Arnold said she believes there is always room for improvement, especially in terms of entrepreneurship.
“Companies came in and took pictures during Black History Month, but what if we can hear their story or get advice from them?” Arnold said. “I found that’s really relevant. It’s all about generational wealth, born into business. To get to that point, to overcome barriers and generate generational wealth, I believe that you have to educate students about this so that they can be more conscious of these opportunities.”
Arnold said awareness of wealth gaps in different groups help it become less taboo and is a step towards assisting diversity. Not just in entrepreneurship, but overall.
All are welcome at the MC, and it will offer a safe and diverse space on campus for years to come. The MC team plans to continue working to bring students together, share ideas, and make more people feel welcome on campus.