Students honor Black History Month in poetry
Broadcast journalism senior Tim City prepares the crowd for the first preformers Monday evening at 102 Conrad Hall. The Apollo, Black History Edition was held by African American Student Mentoring Program and City Sweepers and aimed to convey the stories of prominent African American figures throughout history. Anthony Thibodeau/The State News
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Communication sophomore Domeda Duncan celebrated Black History Month on Monday evening by playing the role of famous writer Maya Angelou.
“I am the dream and the hope of the slave,” she said, quoting one of Angelou’s poems. “I rise, I rise, we rise.”
In collaboration with City Sweeper Productions, the African American Student Mentoring Program, or AASMP, held The Apollo, Black His-tory Edition, in Conrad Hall to bring a mix of history and art to students. During each of the eight acts, students competed with a song, poem, dance or skit, representing an influential leader in black history. Figures included Etta James, Mary J. Blige and Stevie Wonder, with a final tribute to Whitney Houston by general management freshman Melanee Felton.
The event was intended to mimic the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and more than 100 students attended. Education senior Sheenae Hunt, president of AASMP, said her group’s goal was to engage the audience to make a connection to black history.
Before each number, a member of the AASMP read a short biography of the historical figure the student performing represented. By casting a range of leaders in black history, Hunt said she hopes the program will bring new perspectives to the audience.
“There are a lot of things that (many) African Americans don’t know about a specific artist,” she said. “This will help them to get a brief idea and information about historic figures they might not have known before.”
Journalism senior Tim City, founder of City Sweeper Productions, said he was more than happy to host the cultural event.
“It is important for Black History Month that we highlight not only the usual African Americans that people usually see all the time, like MLK, Malcolm X or Rosa Parks, but also highlighting people in entertainment who made major contributions to our culture,” he said.
By choosing a theme many are familiar with, City said he knew the performance would be a success.
“Being that it was the most popular platform for African Americans that everybody knows about, we decided to do an Apollo night at MSU, and with me hosting, you can’t go wrong,” he said.
If they take away anything from the show, City said he hopes audience members realize anyone is capable of enforcing change.
“This event should highlight people that came out of not the best circumstances and still prevailed,” he said. “I hope people take home that no matter what the struggle is, everyone can come out successful and do what they want to do.”
