James Madison roundtable discussion African American Art and Activism was held on Feb. 25. It was hosted by JMC professor Rashida Harrison and JMC academic and DEI specialist Jahshua Smith, with guests Jasmine Hamilton-Wray and Ozay Moore. They discussed the community, advocacy and legacy of hip hop, particularly in Black culture and activism.
With the recent rise in book bans nationwide, PRSSA MSU held a Socratic seminar-style discussion on Feb. 24 at the MSU Union to discuss the future of fighting book bans. Spartan Solutions, a team of PRSSA club members, hosted the event.
Through sharing their creativity, experiences and talents, students celebrated Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 24 with Open Mic Night and Storytelling: Black Voices. All students were encouraged to perform and celebrate in the McDonel Kiva with any creative medium. Students enjoyed dinner and discussion with peers while sharing their art through song, spoken word and comedy acts.
Dean of MSU’s graduate school Dr. Pero Dagbovie hosted a discussion for his book “Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University” on Feb. 24. The book, which was released on Feb. 1, details the histories and contributions of Black students at MSU, beginning with the first known Black students to be enrolled in the mid 1890s.
James Madison College hosted its third annual Black History Month Symposium on Feb. 21, which included voices of students and leaders within the college. The featured guest this year was the first Black Lt. Gov. of Michigan, Garlin Gilchrist II.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, MSU’s UAB hosted the “Stuff-A-Stuff” event at the Engineering Building. In collaboration with the MSU Bug Club, Stuff-A-Stuff presented an opportunity for students to create and take home their own stuffed squirrel, as well as learn more about the club and explore the world of insects.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Sphinx Virtuosi will be arriving at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Sphinx Virtuosi, an extension of Detroit’s globally renowned Sphinx Organization, is a self-conducted chamber orchestra that is dedicated to uplifting Black and Latino voices in classical music. They will be delivering a performance called American Form/s: a musical tapestry spotlighting the many sounds of American classical music and composers of color, through infusions of soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues and elements of rag.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, attendees arrived at Michigan State University’s Brody Hall to participate in the “Blockbusters & Bracelets” event. Hosted in collaboration with MSU’s UAB and RHA Campus Center Cinemas CCC, “Blockbusters & Bracelets” aimed to create a welcoming, Valentine’s Day-themed environment to gather and celebrate.
The Library of Michigan in Lansing is hosting an exhibit "Americans and the Holocaust" aimed at supplementing broad-based Holocaust education and presenting new perspectives about how the U.S. handled the situation. The exhibit is from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and curated by Daniel Greene with the collaboration of the American Library Association. It will be on display until Feb. 22 during business hours.
The documentary sheds light on the lives and contributions of Black Europeans, tracing their presence and impact across different historical periods. Through interviews and years of traveling, Kuwornu reconstructs a narrative that has often been erased from mainstream historical accounts.
Friday is Valentine’s Day and Michigan State University and surrounding communities are preparing for the heartfelt holiday with events and activities throughout the weekend. Whether you’re committed, single, or ready to celebrate with your friends, local businesses are embracing the season of love and hosting Valentine’s Day events for everyone.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the multiple Tony Award-winning musical, "MJ the Musical," arrived on Michigan State University’s campus. The jukebox musical is based on the life of the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, played by Jordan Markus.
For the 28th year, professors in MSU’s Department of Advertising hosted a Super Bowl watch party that focused on the action off of the field: the ads. To determine which ads are the most effective and enjoyable, the professors discussed each advertisement and rated and ranked them based on a number of factors.
Reclaiming Space: An Evening of Poetry was held on the second floor of the MSU Union on Feb. 5. The event was hosted by the Department of Art, Art History and Design and The Poetry Room, a local poetry open mic.
Throughout the month of February, MSU has scheduled activities to celebrate Black History Month. Ranging from film screenings to guest speakers, diverse events will be taking place across campus.
On Monday evening, performers and guests alike attended Open Mic Night at the MSU Union. Hosted by MSU’s UAB, Open Mic Night encouraged students to showcase their talents to the audience. These performances included students singing their original pieces, performing covers and delivering standup comedy.
The second annual Jest Fest was hosted at MSU this past weekend, with improv teams from schools in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa gathering to participate. The Michigan State Roial Improv Players organized the event, which took place in Snyder Phillips Hall from Jan. 31 to Feb.1.
The goal of Cultural Vogue is to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American identities. While the night mostly showcased traditional and modern dances, there were also acapella and Chinese yo-yo performances.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, guests gathered at the MSU Union to attend the "Moon & Mingle: Lunar New Year Celebration." Hosted by MSU’s UAB, attendees were encouraged to celebrate by creating cultural crafts, trying new food and watching "Crazy Rich Asians."
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Michigan State University’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts welcomed a Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble Time For Three. The ensemble combined different genres of music and instruments, along with a hint of comedy, to deliver a performance that left audience members with an experience to remember. The show also featured student musicians from Okemos High School.