ENMU to focus on cultural connections

PORTALES — How do you stay connected to your culture in an increasingly confusing and cluttered world?

That question is central to the theme of this year’s Black History Month itinerary at Eastern New Mexico University.

#BlackAmerica will focus on the significant influence African Americans have had in America, according to ENMU African American Affairs Office Manager Kyree Mackey.

“For the most part, all of our events are geared around African American culture in America, and we do have a couple of events that are more into the African roots, that go back to Africa, but everything pretty much sums up to our culture here in America,” she said.

Activities are slated to begin at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Campus Union Building lobby with information set up on tables.

A contest involving the “Michael Jackson Experience” video game is slated for noon Friday.

Mackey’s most anticipated event begins at 7 p.m. next Monday in the Sandia Room of the CUB.

A hip-hop social will give participants the opportunity to eat and mingle while playing games, such as a rap battle, for prizes.

“(The winner) will get a microphone trophy. It looks really cool. That whole night we’ll be listening to fun music, playing music people want to hear, and just talking about hip-hop and the genre.”

While the African American experience is the primary focus of this year’s events, several presentations about African countries will be made by international students.

• “Know Your Roots: Ghana” (Feb. 6),

• “Know Your Roots: Kenya” (Feb. 12),

• and “Know Your Roots: Nigeria” (Feb. 26)

all have 2 p.m. starts in the Sandia Room of the CUB.

At 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Greyhound Arena, students will take to the court in a “basketball showdown” with the Noontime Hoopers, a group of ENMU faculty members who play basketball every day at noon.

In keeping with the theme, a slam poetry and hip-hop concert is scheduled 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the Becky Sharp Auditorium in the College of Business. National Poetry Slam finalist Kane Smego will perform.

“Hidden Figures,” a film about three African American women at NASA responsible for launching astronaut John Glenn into space, will be shown Feb. 15 in the San Juan Village Clubhouse.

A demonstration of African and Caribbean cuisine, hosted by Ahmed Obo, owner of Jambo Cafe in Santa Fe, will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Family and Consumer Sciences kitchen.

“He’ll be coming down here to do a cooking demo on his African and Caribbean cuisine skills that he’s gained over the years,” Mackey said.

A Gospel celebration will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Music Building.

Black History Month’s culminating event, the Black Excellence Competition, will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the CUB lobby, and will give contestants male and female “the opportunity to showcase their creative abilities and present their excellence in culture and heritage and history,” according to Mackey.

A junior, Mackey has been organizing Black History Month events for three years now, and looks forward to bringing new events and presenters to campus.

“These events represent the African American culture, but not just our culture; it’s also American culture. It’s showing how we socialize and how we express ourselves,” she said.

All events are free and open to the public.