UHV to host play, reception for Black History Month
As Black History Month approaches, the University of Houston-Victoria will host several events to recognize African American culture, including a one-woman play showing the history of black women from the 1600s through today.
“Black History Month is an important opportunity to recognize the contributions and experiences of African Americans,” UHV President Vic Morgan said. “UHV is excited to partner with community organizations and offer ways for the community and our students to commemorate that history.”
This year, UHV Student Life & Services will host the one-woman play “Evolution of a Black Girl: From the Slave House to the White House.” The play will be performed by Morgan McCoy at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the UHV University North Walker Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The show is free and open to the public.
During the play, McCoy will portray 12 different characters who will speak about their experiences from Africa in the 1600s through today. Some of her characters are original creations based on historical context, and others portray historical and influential figures, including Phyllis Wheatley, Harriet Tubman, Maggie Walker, Madam C.J. Walker, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisholm, Josephine Baker and Michelle Obama. The play will end with a question-and-answer session.
“This show will be an exciting opportunity to experience the perspective of black women and the challenges they have faced throughout American history,” said Freddie Cantu, a UHV Student Life & Services coordinator. “UHV serves a diverse student body, and we want to offer events that represent them, their experiences and interests.”
In addition to the show, UHV also will host the annual Black History Month poster contest and reception at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the University North Multi-Purpose Room. Every year, fifth-graders across Victoria Independent School District submit posters for the contest. The posters were judged by representatives from UHV, Victoria College and the Victoria Black History Steering Committee Inc. This year’s theme is “African Americans in times of war.”
Students who place first, second and third in the competition will receive scholarships to UHV and vouchers for VC summer camps. Honorable mentions will receive gift bags from UHV and VC. The students’ posters are on display through the end of February in the UHV University Center, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
In addition to these events, UHV will take part in the Black History Parade at 10 a.m. Feb. 10. The parade is organized by the Victoria Black History Steering Committee Inc. and will follow the same theme as the poster contest. It will feature many black veterans from the Victoria community. UHV and VC are partnering to create a float in the parade.
The parade route will start at the Patti Welder Middle School parking lot on Laurent and North streets and end at the Victoria Community Center parking lot, 2905 E. North St. It will be followed by the Black History Festival at the Community Center, which will feature food, crafts, clothing and other vendors, as well as showcase some local talent through song, dance, poetry and oral history.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
