Posted 9:07 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019
Black history month celebration features Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.
Black history month celebration features Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
The first African-American lieutenant governor in Wisconsin history will be the featured speaker at the annual Reflections of Ebony event Saturday, Feb. 23, at UW-La Crosse. The theme for the event and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes’ talk is fittingly, “Paving the Way & Leaving a Legacy.”
“There have been many people in the past who have paved the way for our generation of African Americans and minority students of color,” says UWL Junior Kemmesha Thomas, Black Student Unity events coordinator and community liaison. “We will honor them, and we will also honor those who are continuing to pave the way because there is still more to be done.”
The social begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a program at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. in The Bluffs, UWL Student Union, 1705 Badger St., La Crosse.
The annual Reflections of Ebony event celebrates black students and African American culture. Reflections also serves to recognize the accomplishments of Black Student Unity, a UWL student organization. BSU has partnered with UWL’s Campus Activities Board, UWL Office of Multicultural Student Services, UWL It Make$ Cents! program and Wisconsin Public Radio to organize the event.
“I love going because each year it is nice being around people who support Black Student Unity and it is great hearing from our guest speakers,” says Thomas, a Public Health and Community Health Education major. “It is definitely something I will come back for once I graduate from UWL.”
Two people selected by UWL students of color will be formally honored during the celebration. Their names will be disclosed at the celebration. One is being honored for “paving the way” and the other for “leaving a legacy.”
The cost is $10 for UWL students, faculty and staff with a UWL ID and $13 for others. Children under five are free, but also require a ticket. Tickets are available the UWL Student Union Information Desk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20.
Contact UWL Black Student Unity Advisor Richard Sims for accommodations and questions at 608.785.8225 or rsims@uwlax.edu. Accommodations must be made by Feb. 15, 2019.
If you go —
What: Reflections of Ebony featuring Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
When: A social begins at 5:30 p.m., program at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23
Where: The Bluffs, UWL Student Union, 521 East Ave. N., La Crosse
Tickets: The cost is $10 for UWL students, faculty and staff with a UWL ID and $13 for others. Children under five are free, but also require a ticket. Tickets are available the UWL Student Union Information Desk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20.
To request disability accommodations, contact Richard Sims at rsims@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8838.