Black History Month 2021

February 8, 2021 — 7:00 PM

SGA President Mahari Greene will be delivered a Black History Month speech LIVE on ZOOM. Thanks to all who joined us for this event.

February 15, 2021 — 7:00 PM

Coker Students on Black Experiences: A Panel Presentation

Sponsored by African American Studies and The Center for Diversity, Interfaith and Inclusion Education. This panel will feature the research of Coker students from various courses open to all students. Our guest moderator will be Coker alumnus Eimari Bradley (’18).

February 17, 2021 — 6:00 PM

Jazzy Poetic: Singing in a Strange Land: Musical and Literary Artistic Expression in the African American Quest for Freedom

An educational and entertaining journey through the musical and literary artistic expressions of African American people in their quest to endure and protest slavery and oppression, vent pain and grief, celebrate their history and culture, and give voice to their agency and infinitely creative spirits. Teaching artist, vocalist, percussionist, and lay historian Bhakti Larry Hough will lead listeners and viewers on the journey through African drumming, field hollers, prison and work songs, the Blues, jazz, and poetry with musical performances and historical exposition. The repertoire will include mostly well-known standards, but also Bhakti’s own original works that have been inspired and influenced by the musical and literary arts of his African and African American ancestors. He will be accompanied on keyboards and woodwinds by William Gerald and Tamir Mubarak, respectively.

February 22, 2021 — 4:00 PM

The Gift of Black Folk: Contributions of African Americans to the American Experience

A review and appreciation of the many contributions African Americans have made across many areas of American life. From public intellectuals, artists, activists, scientists, to the 44th president of the United States, America is not America without what Dr. W.E.B. DuBois calls, “The Gift of Black Folk”. I will detail a number of individuals and their gifts that have made all of our lives better.

Danny Malone is from Houston, Texas and is currently in his fifth year as an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Coker University. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University in 2017 and currently serves as the coordinator of the Sociology program and the coordinator of the African American Studies Specialization. His teaching mantra comes from Dr. W.E.B DuBois: Education must not simply teach work, it must teach Life. Outside of his role as professor, Danny loves spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and their daughter, Shanelle.

February 24, 2021 — 6:30 PM

How Black Alumni Have Connected their Coker Experience to Career Success
A zoom meeting presented by the Offices of Alumni Engagement and Student Engagement. Thank you to all who joined us!

February 26, 2021

The Agnostic Vodouisant

Choreographer and Performer: Ethan Dumas
Music: I Put A Spell On You by Alice Smith
Ethan’s Description: This is an improvisational work that was inspired by the musical stylings of Nina Simone. In “I Put A Spell On You,” Ms.Simone sings about casting a spell on her lover knowing that he is already hers in efforts to bring them closer. I wanted to redirect the strong need for her lover to the need for equality and equity in society today. The purpose of this work is to encourage devotion to conversations that will bring individuals of different backgrounds closer together.

Ethan Dumas is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Arts in Dance Education with a K-12 Teaching Certification from Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina. Ethan has participated in works choreographed by Dejan Tubic, Xu Ying, and Meghan Thompson as well as his own choreography. Most recently Ethan has performed his solo “The Snake That Finished Himself” in the Composition 1 Spring Showcase at Coker University and repertoire with the Coker Repertory Dance Company. Ethan one day hopes to pursue a career in commercial dance and would like to thank all artists who have inspired him.