By Harrison Flowers
When I walked into the office of OBU’s Vice President for University Culture, B.J.
Glover, I had many questions. I came with a purpose in mind. I wanted to know everything I
could about Black History Month. To write about it, I needed to know the why. Why do we at
OBU celebrate Black History Month? How is OBU working to be a safe and inclusive place for
minorities? How are the events for this month fostering a diverse community? As we sat down
and exchanged pleasantries, I could hardly get my recorder down before Mrs. Glover launched
into the history of black people in the U.S.
She began by detailing the origins of the celebration. Black History Month is an annual
remembrance that began in the United States but is now celebrated in many countries around the world. She told me how it was in the summer of 1915, in Illinois, that the first Lincoln Jubilee was observed in Chicago. The event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the emancipation of slaves. Thousands of Americans arrived from all around to view exhibits of black excellence.
This is important because it was at this event where Carter G. Woodson, a black historian and
journalist, founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
This association felt there needed to be a serious study of achievements by the black race.
So, in 1926, the group began Black History Week. They chose February because both Fredrick
Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men who had a huge impact on black history, were born in this month. Glover went on to say, “Black peoples stories and triumphs are at the core of our
history.” After a while, Black History Week evolved into a month-long celebration.
After Glover explained the history behind the month, we focused on OBU. When I asked
about the many events the University is hosting throughout the month, her face lit up “it’s
interesting that at the time we planned this, we brought in the opera star Indra Thomas. The
theme this year is African American and the Arts. And so, we open our month with the arts.
How providential is that. We didn’t even know that was what it was going to be.” Indra Thomas, a grammy nominated and nationally acclaimed opera singer, spoke in chapel and later delivered a powerful singing performance.
The events include a movie night, a Black History quiz, a chapel service led by OBU’s
professor Lawrence Kirk, and a late-night skate night. But the event that Glover was especially
excited about was the trip to Greenwood Museum. At the end of the month, February 24th
,OBU is paying for students and faculty to experience the Museum in Tulsa. “Of course, that’s all at our expense: the museum transportation there and the soul food lunch.” Not only will there be fried chicken and cornbread, but there will also be an opportunity to learn. When I asked Mrs. Glover what students can expect to see while on the trip, she said, “I decided to make this annual because I think students in Oklahoma should all know about the 1921 race massacre that happened in Tulsa. This was a time when the white citizens burned the entire black neighborhood to the ground. They burned all their homes and businesses and some of the people died in the fire.” It was a tragic event, “So the museum in Tulsa takes you through elements of that event, it’s very well done… [and] you do walk away with the realization of what happened. So, it’s a very powerful piece of history.”
For transit to and from the museum there are only 50 seats, so there may be a waitlist, but
if the seats are filled, you can still commute over and join the rest of the trip. However, you still
need to complete the registration form so that the organizers know how much food and how
many tickets to buy. The Greenwood Museum trip is the catalyst of the OBU Black History
Month events. But overall, Glover said, “I just want to peak people’s interest about black history to get them even just thinking about it and I’m hopeful that beyond this month people will just maintain an awareness of the contribution that black people have made to this country’s history.”
During Black History Month, OBU is also celebrating the lives and legacy of students,
faculty, and staff who have had positive impacts on the lives of marginalized people. On April
20th, the university will be unveiling the new Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame. Up until March
18th, nominations will be received to be inducted into the Hall. Nominees must exemplify
Christian character traits, excellence in work/study, service to others, and have made a positive difference in the community.
OBU isn’t just remembering the past, Glover is also looking toward the future. She said,
“What I’m working on right now is how to convert those into goals, measurable goals, and action items… The priority is we want to transform our culture here to one that is more welcoming to people of other ethnicities and races.” To accomplish this cultural transformation, Glover and her team are working to integrate diverse authors into the curriculum, audit policies and procedures that may create boundaries, and create training for both faculty and students.
Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” This is the kind of culture Glover is trying to foster. One where everyone is welcome.
