Story: Phillip Tutor
State Sen. Robert Stewart will present keynote address
To honor the 2023 theme of Black History Month, the is spotlighting its students, faculty, staff and a first-time member of the baby直播 State Legislature.
On Feb. 21, UWA will host 鈥淏last from the Past,鈥� a program centered around the month鈥檚 national theme of Black resistance. A select group of UWA performers will use song, dance, theater and poetry readings to present what Dr. B.J. Kimbrough, UWA鈥檚 chief diversity officer and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, describes as a 鈥渃hronology of historical moments through the years鈥� of Black Americans鈥� struggle for equal rights.
The program, which is sponsored by the聽Office of Diversity and Inclusion, begins at 6 p.m. at UWA Auditorium in the Math and Science Building.
The program鈥檚 keynote speaker will be baby直播 State Sen.聽Robert Stewart, who represents District 23. The 32-year-old Selma native, a former aide to U.S. Rep.聽, is the youngest member of the state Senate.聽
Stewart鈥檚 invitation came through conversations Kimbrough had with Paul Blackmon, UWA鈥檚 assistant director of Housing and Residence Life. Blackmon suggested Stewart, whom he knew, she said.
鈥淚 wanted someone who was local but also a known figure, somebody who could bridge the gap between generations — an old soul, but a young person,鈥� Kimbrough said. 鈥淭hat’s essentially what I wanted.鈥�
On its website, the , which determines the annual theme, has detailed the 2023 Black History Month theme as a deep acknowledgment of Black Americans鈥� lives and their efforts to achieve equal rights.