St. John's University Celebrates Black History Month

February 07, 2011

St. John’s University has announced its schedule for the 2011 Black Heritage Celebration, held each year in February in honor of Black History Month. Sponsored in part by the Department of Student Life – Multicultural Affairs, and coordinated by numerous student organizations, the celebration consists of panel discussions, community service projects, lectures and entertainment.

This year’s Queen Campus celebration is highlighted by guest lecturers Andrew Jenks and Carolyn Peck. Known for his hit MTV show, "World of Jenks", award-winning filmmaker Andrew Jenks will challenge students to broaden their horizons and knock down conventional stereotypes. Jenks will speak about his own experiences and perceptions and draw upon clips from his television show. The lecture will take place on Monday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Carnesecca Arena.

St. John’s students will also get to hear from award-winning athlete, coach and ESPN analyst, Carolyn Peck. Her success in athletics has won her numerous awards which include Tennessee’s Miss Basketball in 1987, the inaugural Trailblazer of the Game Award and an induction into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. Peck’s poise, character, style and grace make her a great role model for young women of all races, colors and nationalities. She will be visiting the Queens campus on Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. in Bent Hall.

The Black Heritage Celebration will end with the annual Black and White Ball on Saturday, February 26th at 8:00 p.m. in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom. This event commemorates and honors all administrators, students and organizations, whose hard work and dedication made Black Heritage Month possible.

The Staten Island campus will be hosting the "Praise and Benefit Concert for Haiti," on February 11 at 8 p.m. in the Campus Center Gymnasium. All are welcome to come and listen to singers, groups and choirs from the Tri-State area uplift and praise the Lord. On February 22, the Staten Island campus will host the Annual Martin Luther King Dinner which celebrates African American history and their contributions to America and to the world. This event, which features an address focused on the power of education, empowering, generations of success and what the students can do to continue to foster a community of education, diversity and inclusion.

For a complete list of events on the Queens campus, please visit, http://www.stjohns.edu/campus/heritage_celebrations/african/Queens.stj. For a complete list of events on the Staten Island campus, please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/campus/heritage_celebrations/african/si_bhm

For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Reilly, Assistant Director of Media Relations at St. John’s by calling (718) 990-5789, or by email to reillye@stjohns.edu.