{"id":56662,"date":"2024-02-01T12:55:10","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T17:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=56662"},"modified":"2025-10-22T11:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T15:01:00","slug":"an-ode-to-the-arts-utc-black-history-month-calendar-features-theatre-dance-art-and-even-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/02\/an-ode-to-the-arts-utc-black-history-month-calendar-features-theatre-dance-art-and-even-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"An ode to the arts: UTC Black History Month calendar features theatre, dance, art … and even yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members Mya McKinney, left, and Mirrakle Bre ‘Aisha Randolph at the 2023 Taste of Black Chattanooga event. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s annual Black History Month<\/strong><\/a> activities are dedicated to informing and educating the campus community while commemorating the accomplishments and feats made by African Americans throughout history.<\/p>\n

The month-long celebration commences with a kickoff event on Thursday, Feb. 1, in Lupton Hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey bring some really cool events our way and I learn just as much as the students,\u201d said Office of Multicultural Affairs Assistant Director Christopher Stokes. \u201cI am humbled to be in this field working with so many talented people from different backgrounds. I am able to see the thought and impact that goes into their work and we are able to do so many amazing things here on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every February, Multicultural Affairs partners with organizations and groups on and off campus to bring a celebration of Black history to UTC, and this year\u2019s theme is \u201cAfrican Americans and the Arts.\u201d Events will feature many familiar vendors from last year as well as some new sponsors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a resurgence of art appreciation in so many different spaces,\u201d Stokes said, \u201cOne of our partners this year is the Hunter Museum (of American Art). They have been doing several things in addition to the exhibits; they have created interactive opportunities\u2014even to the point that one of the events is art and yoga.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of the month\u2019s activities, Taste of Black Chattanooga returns for its third year. The event showcases vendors from Black-owned local businesses and gives UTC students, staff and faculty a chance to try signature dishes. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the University Center Tennessee Room.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Check the Multicultural Center\u2019s Black History Month<\/strong><\/a> page for up-to-date information and Mocsync event links.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Stokes said the focus of UTC Black History Month is to celebrate, appreciate and learn from the contributions made by African Americans.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Multicultural Center is celebrating 15 years,\u201d Stokes said, \u201cand this event pays tribute to so many of the leaders here that have created spaces for people from various backgrounds, especially the students.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a part of the history that helped support me to get where I am. My goal is to make UTC feel a little smaller; that way, everyone feels like they are a part of something. We are a larger campus, but when we all come together, everyone feels like they have a place and they have a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Highlights of the Black History Month calendar include the following events (all take place in Lupton Hall unless noted):<\/p>\n