Soledad O’Brien. Photo Courtesy UM Communications
The University of Mississippi announced Monday that former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien will highlight the celebration of Black History Month at Ole Miss.
O’Brien has won numerous awards, including an Emmy, for her reporting and most recently launched Starfish Media Group, a media production company dedicated to telling “life’s untold stories.”
“Soledad O’Brien’s work complements the continued efforts of the university to stimulate healthy conversations on race and questions of identity,” Valeria Ross, assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs and volunteer services, stated in a university press release.
The celebration kicks off today at noon in the Student Union lobby with a keynote speech by Barbara Combs and a performance from the university’s gospel choir.
Associate sociology professor Combs released a book in November 2013 about the freedom marchers involved in the civil rights movement titled “From Selma to Montgomery: The Long March to Freedom.”
Along with Combs’ discussion of the celebration of diversity and culture at Ole Miss, the Lift Every Voice Awards will be presented. These annual awards are given to members of the Ole Miss community who have “contributed to the betterment of human relationships on campus,” according to Donald Cole, assistant provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs.
“Appreciating our varied cultural histories and common story as Americans is critical to building an inclusive community,” freshman political science major Ryan Nolen said.
Scheduled Black History Month events include training sessions, film screenings, panel discussions and Brown Bag lectures, all of which are open to the public. The celebration will conclude on Feb. 25 with a concert featuring the Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble in Nutt Auditorium. The entire schedule can be found on the front page of today’s edition of The DM.
“As a communication person, I think it’s critical for all of us to remember that it is not enough to talk about the past — we must act on our knowledge,” said JoAnn Edwards, speech instructor and director of UM Speech and Debate.
— Caty Cambron
thedmnews@gmail.com
