Happy Black History Month, Andrews University! In honor of this month, the AUSM decided to collect a list of our fellow students’ favorite famous Black figures across a variety of vocations. One way to celebrate and reflect on the contributions to our society made by Black people would be looking at the work of the people on this list. You could also make an effort to listen to a Black music artist or watch movies and TV shows featuring Black leads. However you choose to celebrate, I hope that you take some time to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of Black people and especially lift them up during this month.
1) Marcel Mattox (junior, social work)—Martin Luther King Jr., minister and civil rights activist
2) Nora Martin (sophomore, psychology and English)—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of “The Thing Around Your Neck”
3) Khaylee Sands (junior, pre-physical therapy)—Lucky Daye, singer-songwriter
4) Jasmine Stallard (sophomore, architecture)—Michelle Obama, former First Lady and author of “Becoming”
5) Alexander Hess (junior, English)—Edward Enninful OBE, British Vogue editor-in-chief and European editorial director of Condé Nast
6) Owen Hamstra (sophomore, elementary education)—John Lewis, politician and civil rights activist
7) Andrew Potts (freshman, history)—Jaylen Brown, NBA player
8) Qualyn Robinson (senior, digital communications)—Tyler the Creator, musician and songwriter
9) Yoel Kim (junior, physics and math studies)—August Wilson, playwright for “Fences”
10) Megan Case (junior, music education)—Simone Biles, olympic world-champion gymnast
11) Nellie Karengo (senior, English literature)—Chadwick Boseman, actor
12) Shawn DeWitt (junior, psychology)—Zendaya, actress
13) Alannah Tjhatra (junior, biochemistry)—Amanda Gorman, poet
14) Noah Mack (junior, engineering)—Kobe Bryant, NBA player
15) Manoah van der Velde (junior, engineering)—Lewis Hamilton, Formula One race car driver
16) Jason DeWitt (freshman, engineering)—Kevin Hart, comedian and actor
17) Izzy Koh (junior, English)—Corey Hawkins, actor and executive producer of the “DUST” podcast
18) Darling Ramirez (junior, English and Spanish)—Chris Tucker, comedian and actor
19) Pearl Parker (Senior, English)—Toni Morrison, author
My current favorite Black figure in media is Angie Thomas, author of “The Hate U Give” as well as “On The Come Up” and “Concrete Rose.” I’ve only read “The Hate U Give” but the other two are on my “to read list” which I might read this month. I look forward to seeing more of her writing.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.