Tennessee Tech University will honor Black History Month with a slate of campus events for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community throughout February.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, Feb 6. at Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center where the women and men’s basketball teams will play back-to-back games against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

A special recorded performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will play before the game, along with a pre-game slideshow that pays tribute to notable Black Tech sports alumni, coaches, current athletes and public figures. The National Pan-Hellenic Council, representing Tech’s historically Black fraternities and sororities, will lead a halftime show presentation.

Charria Campbell, director of Intercultural Affairs at Tech, says Tech’s Black History Month events are open to all and will offer a sense of both reverence and celebration.

“The story of Black history in America is one that is of course marked by trials and injustices, but it is also characterized by triumphs, celebration, joy, beautiful music and unbreakable hope,” said Campbell. “That is the spirit we’ve always sought to bring to Black History Month programming here at Tennessee Tech. Our team has worked hard to put together an engaging set of events with dynamic speakers and our valued community partners. All are welcome to join us!”

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Tech welcomes students to its annual “Soul Food Night,” beginning at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center. Attendees will be treated to a free meal from the family-owned Jim & Samella’s House, a staple of Memphis’s Black-owned restaurant scene that was also featured in the Netflix series “Somebody Feed Phil.”  Remarks from Audrey Patterson, executive chef for Tech Dining Services, will follow.

Then, on Sunday, Feb. 16, a “Gospel Extravaganza” will be held at 2:30 p.m., also in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center. The event is co-hosted by Intercultural Affairs, the Omicron Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and local churches.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the university will host Nashville-based David “DJ” Lee, an acclaimed beatboxer, singer, songwriter, teacher and speaker, for multiple events, beginning with an 11 a.m. musical workshop titled “How Hip Hop Got to the Suburbs,” held in the Multipurpose Room, followed by an evening of R&B music at 6 p.m. in the same location.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Tech community is invited to attend IMPACT Cookeville’s 11th annual honors banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. IMPACT Cookeville works to uplift underserved communities in the Upper Cumberland and positively impact the region through cultural bridge building.

The nonprofit community organization has deep ties to the university – it was founded by Robert Owens, Tech’s senior executive for access, belonging and community outreach, and is currently chaired by Lisa Zagumny, dean of Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences.

Harry Ingle, executive director for Student Affairs, and Thomas Payne, dean of the College of Business, also serve on the organization’s Board of Directors while Tech doctoral student Jasen Knight serves as outgoing president. General admission is $53.85, and tickets can be purchased at www.impactbanquet.com.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Tech’s History Department will host “Black History Month Trivia Night” in the Tech Pride Room of the Roaden University Center. Students are invited to compete for prizes and test their knowledge of Black history in an upbeat setting with friends and peers. The free event begins at 6 p.m.

Tech will conclude Black History Month on Friday, Feb. 28 with “Step Afrika!” a free step show taking place in Memorial Gym beginning at 6 p.m. Audiences will enjoy a performance that combines dance styles used by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances and contemporary dance styles.

“There is something for everyone throughout Black History Month here at Tech,” concluded Campbell. “We invite the Tech community and the public to join us as we learn from one another’s stories, continue to build bridges of understanding, remember those who came before us and have some fun along the way.”

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Learn more about Black history at Tech and see a full listing of all Black History Month events by visiting www.tntech.edu/intercultural.