Andrews Celebrates Black History Month

Guest speaker Michael B. Kelly II

Note: Please accept our apologies for the errors in the initial release about this important celebration on our campus. We wish to affirm the significance of the Black community’s contribution to Andrews University and the nation as a whole.

The formal celebration of Black history in the United States was inaugurated by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1926. Led by Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, the ASNLH hoped to raise awareness of African-American achievements in North America while highlighting the collective history of the worldwide African diaspora. Fifty years later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford called for the national observance of the holiday stating, “[we must] seize the opportunity to honor the often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Andrews University student Jannel Monroe says, “Black History Month at Andrews University seeks to affirm this history by providing our students, staff, faculty, and public with multiple opportunities to reflect upon and internalize the rich history of the Pan-African movement.”

Black History Sabbath will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Pioneer Memorial Church. The guest speaker is Michael B. Kelly II, senior pastor of the Mt. Rubidoux Adventist Church in Riverside, California. Kelly received his MDiv from Andrews University in 2003. Pastor Kelly has had the honor of traveling the globe preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Kelly has been honored with various awards throughout his pastoral ministry, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Trail Blazer Award for spiritual leadership and community service. Kelly believes in a focused yet multi-dimensional ministry. Because of this he has sought other avenues by which to bring the Kingdom to the community. One such way is through leadership training and team building for churches and businesses. He is a certified trainer for the company Vital Smarts, and has shared presentations with communities, traveling to Adventist Conferences, the North American Division, local churches, as well as business and various companies throughout the United States.

As part of this month-long celebration, Andrews University will also be screening two notable films. The first is a PBS documentary titled “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” (pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross). The documentary covers the transition of African-Americans between Africa and America. Events covering five centuries, key sites and historians are integrated throughout the film.

The second film, Oscar-nominated “Selma,” is the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s march to secure equal voting rights from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had already made desegregation legal but discrimination was still extensive. King led a march that culminated, less than five months later, in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

All events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, February 3
11:30 a.m.   Black History Forum
Student musical performances and video clips
Howard Performing Arts Center

7 p.m.   “Many Rivers to Cross” (Episode 1)
PBS documentary
Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall

Thursday, February 5
11:30 a.m.   Thursday Series Presents: The Etymology of Blackness
Chaplain Michael Polite
Pioneer Memorial Church

Friday, February 6
7:30 p.m.   Lighthouse Vespers Presents: Solidarity
Michael B. Kelly, pastor, Mt. Rubidoux Adventist Church, Riverside, California
Pioneer Memorial Church

Saturday, February 7
9 a.m.  Black History Celebration
Michael B. Kelly
Pioneer Memorial Church

10:30 a.m.   Sabbath School
Coordinated by the Black Student Christian Fellowship
Pioneer Memorial Church

11:45 a.m.   Black History Celebration
Michael B. Kelly
Pioneer Memorial Church

Tuesday, February 10
10:30 a.m.   Seminary Chapel Presents: Keith Burton
Seminary Chapel

7 p.m.   “Many Rivers to Cross”  (Episode 2)
Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall

Friday, February 13
7:30 p.m.   Creative Arts Fest: A Black History Celebration
Seminary Chapel

9 p.m.   Black Student Christian Fellowship Presents: Impact
University Towers Auditorium

Sabbath, February 14
11:45 a.m.   New Life Fellowship Presents: Unchained (1870–1899)
Seminary Chapel

Tuesday, February 17
7 p.m.   “Many Rivers to Cross” (Episode 3)
Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall

Friday, February 20
9 p.m.   Black Student Christian Fellowship Presents: Impact
University Towers Auditorium

Sabbath, February 21
11:45 a.m.   New Life Fellowship Presents: Unbroken (1900–1939) and Willie Lynch and The Attack on Black Sexuality
Seminary Chapel

7 p.m.   Andrews University Presents: “Selma” starring David Oyelowo and Tim Roth (2015)
Location: TBA

Sunday, February 22
4 p.m.   Andrews University Presents: “Selma” starring David Oyelowo and Tim Roth (2015)
Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall

Tuesday, February 24
7 p.m.   “Many Rivers to Cross” (Episode 4)
Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall

Friday, February 27
9 p.m.   Black Student Christian Fellowship Presents: Impact
University Towers Auditorium

Sabbath, February 28
11:45 a.m.   New Life Fellowship Presents: Unashamed (1940–1969)
Seminary Chapel