UF administrators, alumni and students gathered to celebrate the start of Black History Month on Sunday night.
The opening ceremony, which featured dancers, poets and speakers, promoted equality and a break from a black-and-white vision of America.
About 240 people attended the event, which was held at UF's Reitz Union Grand Ballroom and kicked off the month's festivities.
After a skit addressing the struggles of slavery, UF President Bernie Machen spoke.
Machen's presentation was followed by a speech from Pamela Bingham, the first and only black female Student Body president at UF.
In his speech, Machen referenced the first black students at UF and their role in the university's integration more than 50 years ago.
"Courage and leadership have an uncanny way of opening doors and opening minds," he said, adding that UF is still not diverse enough.
The struggle with equality in our nation's living history continues, he said.
SG alumna Pamela Bingham knows of this struggle.
In a speech sandwiched between standing ovations, Bingham said she received death threats on her answering machine while running for Student Body president in 1986.
"How you respond to adversity at the end of the day defines who you are, and sometimes, you know, you just have to encourage yourself," Bingham said.
In the wake of President Obama's inauguration, she spoke about America's dream of equality and said it's a work in progress.
In an interview after her speech, Bingham offered advice to UF students about continuing diversity efforts.
She said students should force themselves to get to know people they would not ordinarily meet. She said they should work toward making student organizations more diverse.
Nicole Douglas, the executive director of Black History Month, had some advice of her own.
"Wake up to your own abilities," she said "Wake up to your own promise."
