“A Love Story,” the theme for this year’s Black History Month, is not a reference to a Taylor Swift song or Valentine’s Day.
“The tale of our love story is not of hearts and roses but of accomplishments, failures and opportunities,” said Kamali Burke, UF executive director of Black History Month. “It is our plight to share the love story as a testament to those who have blazed the trails before us.”
Cammy Justice, one of the program’s planners, suggested the theme after taking a class that defined love as full of hurt, pain, happiness, accomplishment, selflessness and struggle.
Burke said this year’s program includes a poetry night, bingo tournament, comedy show, step show and a concert by John Legend. The program will also support three philanthropies and contribute to Gators United for Haiti.
Most events are free and open to the public, Burke said.
Shannon McNeal, Black Student Union president, said she is looking forward to the 21st annual Florida Invitational Step Show.
“Much like Gator Football games, to me, Black History Month is a tradition with memories I will never forget,” McNeal said.
