Dressed to impress in cocktail attire, UF administrators, alumni and students gathered to celebrate the opening of Black History Month Monday night.
“A Mahogany Renaissance: The Essence of Progress” kicked off in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, featuring speakers and performances by the university Gospel Choir.
After Jamal Sowell, former UF Student Body President and master of ceremonies, shared his opening remarks, UF President Bernie Machen addressed the audience.
“This year’s committee innovated and orchestrated the most diversified month Black History Month has ever seen,” Sowell said.
Machen said the African-American population at UF reached 4,000 students and paved the way for other minorities on campus.
“Black History month is a 28-day celebration where you can look to the past while also looking to the future and seeing what the past has shaped,” Machen said.
Machen’s presentation was followed by a speech from Cecil Duffie, executive director of Black History Month.
Mahogany is more than just a color, Duffie said. “It depicts the struggle of African-Americans and our ability to retain a good sense despite changing cultural stigmas and ideals.”
Duffie said this month’s renaissance would feature new events as innovative as the Harlem Renaissance.
Duffie was followed by the presentation of eagerly anticipated keynote speaker and actor Boris Kodjoe, known for his roles in “Surrogates,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Resident Evil: Afterlife.”
Kodjoe greeted the crowd with a challenge for black students to set higher expectations for themselves.
“Black History Month is about reminding ourselves to take our privilege to be able to represent those who have suffered and ensure that we are able to live our lives the way we would like,“ Kodjoe said.
“We are standing on the shoulders of those who really fought.”
