DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University will host a variety of events and programming sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and in partnership with Millikin student organizations and academic departments to celebrate Black History Month this February.
Among the events in February include guest speaker Nick Courmon, who will speak at the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms in the University Commons on Monday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Courmon is an international poet, spoken word artist, recording artist, workshop facilitator, and motivational speaker from Greensboro, N.C. He has been writing poetry since 2009 and performing since 2011. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2019 with a B.A. in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration. He is currently enrolled at North Carolina Central University, where he is studying to receive his M.A. in African American History.
Courmon is also the Community Engagement Coordinator for the North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NCCADP). In addition to his work with the NCCADP, Nick also serves as the spokesperson for the campaign to free Billie Allen from federal death row.
Courmon uses his art to teach African American History, address a host of social issues, and advocate for mental health awareness. He has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, NBC's Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, VICE News, Button Poetry, Narratively, and Spokane NPR.
Black History Month originated in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson promoted what was known as "Negro History Week" to educate people about the accomplishments of African Americans. In 1976, the celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February, the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. Black History Month is celebrated to remember important individuals and events in African American history.
The events for Millikin's Black History Month celebration are as follows:
Wednesday, February 7
Campus Life x Black Student Union
Graffiti Art
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
3 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Friday, February 9
Alpha Phi Alpha Movie Night
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
7:06 p.m.
Wednesday, February 14
Alpha Kappa Alpha: PretTI Girl Valentines
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance|
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday, February 16
Alpha Phi Alpha - Civil Rights Exhibit
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
7:06 p.m.
Saturday, February 17
Campus Life x Black Student Union
Represent your student organization at the Millikin Women's Basketball game vs. Carthage College.
Griswold Center
2 p.m.
Monday, February 19
Campus Life x Black Student Union
Key Note Speaker - Poet and Spoken Word Artist Nick Courmon
University Commons - Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 20
Delta Sigma Theta Blood Drive
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 22
Alpha Kappa Alpha: Pink Goes Red
University Commons - Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms A
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, February 23
Alpha Phi Alpha
Soul Food Dinners
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
7:06 p.m.
Tuesday, February 27
Alpha Kappa Alpha: Black History Month Bingo
University Commons - Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance
5 p.m.
Thursday, February 29
Black Student Union
Skate Night
University Commons - Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
