"Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist is a strong example of leadership in the state for any student," Smith said. "It is very important, the work he does, as it relates to his identity and who he is. Some of these students also get a chance to see someone who’s at the apex of some of the careers they are pursuing."

The symposium opened with a student singing, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as The Black National Anthem and a musical rendition of the song played by American jazz guitarist and composer Randy Napoleon. 

Thomas D. Jeitschko, the interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Michigan State University, was the first speaker who helped organize the symposium. He began by addressing the challenges all education institutions are now facing. 

"To begin my welcome today, I want to reaffirm that Michigan State University remains committed to our founding mission and to our core values," Jeitschko said. "While higher education is no doubt experiencing some unique challenges as a result of the flurry of recent executive orders and agency directives, I am confident we’ll navigate our way through this together."

MSU is a leading research university because it has so much depth, perspective and inclusive excellence and symposiums like these contribute to the vibrant marketplace of ideas on campus. 

Jabbar R. Bennett, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, took the stage and reminded everybody that, although this Black History Month is only the 49th recognized by the federal government, it's the 99th since its creation. He said DEI has been a part of who the University is and will continue to be. 

"My office for institutional diversity and inclusion has been around in some iteration under multiple names since 1968," Bennett said. "When we talk about commitment to our mission and understanding who we are and what our values are, the work of diversity, equity, inclusion is part of who we are."

Next to the stage was the keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. 

"We’re in a hell of a moment right now for an understanding of black history and specifically about how American culture and institutions at large relate to black history," Gilchrist said. 

He went on to talk about Linda McMahon’s recent Senate confirmation hearing after she was selected as Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education. Gilchrist said she was asked whether Black History Month celebrations will be allowed in public schools under Trump’s directive and she didn’t have a definitive answer. 

"In the State of Michigan, we know that it is important to support all of our people," Gilchrist said. "That means everybody, not regardless of, but because of their identities, because of who they are, because of where they came from, because of their histories, because of their contributions to our culture yesterday, today and the contributions they will make tomorrow."

He said although there are attacks on programs, like the symposium itself, happening in the country right now, the community will stay strong and persistent. 

Gilchrist is a University of Michigan alum and while there, the grounds for affirmative action were being tested in court. Once the suit got to the Supreme Court, he helped organize buses to Washington D.C. where they protested on the steps. 

"I’m not saying that you’re going to do the same thing that we did 20 years ago, but what I would ask you to think about is what you can do today to make students feel more welcome," he said. "What can you do today to empower and embolden faculty and staff?"

Gilchrist made history as the first Black Lieutenant Governor in Michigan. When asked by the audience what goals he wants to accomplish, he outlined his objectives. One priority is to ensure every Michigander has reliable and affordable internet and he’s made strides in this already, connecting 27,000 people and businesses. He wants to make Michigan one of the easiest states to start a business, so he started a program called the Michigan Innovation Fund. 

Together with Governor Whitmer, Gilchrist has been raising funding for public education every year since taking office. While being the first has secured his spot in history, Gilchrist said he didn’t want his election to be a novelty and hopes he will not be the last. 

Brian Johnson, assistant dean of DEI for James Madison College, helped to organize the event and said he chose Gilchrist for a number of reasons. 

"One of the goals we have within Madison is to connect students with good internships and career possibilities," Johnson said. "We take advantage of our location being near the capital."

When students were asked who they wanted as the keynote, Gilchrist topped the list and he has a good appreciation for students, Johnson said. He also said that DEI may be under attack, but the work they do will continue even if it’s under a different name. 

"What it comes down to is how we’re welcoming students, making them feel heard and making them feel appreciated," Johnson said.