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The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) will welcome a keynote speaker, a traveling museum, and host a panel of students, faculty, and staff to mark Black History Month in February.  

Award-winning, inspirational speaker and author Jordan Green-Ellis will serve as the keynote speaker and will speak at noon on Feb. 23 in Robinson Ballroom in the Student Center at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Gainesville Campus and at 5 pm on Feb. 23 in Hoag ABC Room at the Dahlonega Campus.

Green-Ellis is one of the leading experts in college readiness and has been pivotal in the educational and personal development of students nationwide. His speech will focus on the impact of historical figures and Black History Month on our lives.  

Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) will start the month with a virtual game to test students' historical knowledge. Black History Month Kahoot Trivia will take place at noon on Feb. 6 with prizes for the top three competitors.

MSA will have a Black History Month tabling event that will take place on two campuses at noon on Feb. 13. Tabling in Dahlonega will be on the Hoag Patio. Tabling in Gainesville will be on the Student Center Patio. 

On Feb.  15 there will be a Sankofa Traveling Museum event co-sponsored with Dr. Ben Wynne, professor of history, taking place in the Hoag ABC Rooms in Dahlonega. The museum highlights the vast contributions that African-Americans have made to this country and the world. The exhibit includes art, collectibles, and memorabilia. The event will then move to the Gainesville Campus on Feb. 16 and be held in the Robinson Ballroom.

"Celebrating the cultural heritage months is vital to the mission of Â鶹ÊÓƵ and MSA, providing opportunities to celebrate and recognize the many cultures within our campus communities," Dr. Andrew Johnson, MSA director, said. "This also contributes to our students' sense of belonging."

Johnson believes Black History Month events provide an opportunity for education and provides room for student leaders to engage in meaningful activities.

"Celebrating Black History Month is about highlighting the contributions of Blacks and African-Americans to both our country and the world," Johnson said.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.