UWG kicks off Black History Month with Second Annual Cookout 

By Cindy Martinez

The University of West Georgia (UWG) kicked off its second annual Black History month celebrations with a lively kickoff event themed as a cookout. This event brought students together as well as faculty to begin the month long observance of his month. Held on the UWG campus, the cookout was a viral celebration of Black culture, history and community.
 

In addition to food, attendees enjoyed a creative journaling station, where they decorated personal journals with stickers, paint pens and other art supplies. The station also featured fragrant scents like sandalwood, lavender and spearmint, adding a unique sensory touch to the day’s festivities.
 

Jakai Yancey, a senior at the university attended the event with friends. “My favorite was decorating the notebook,” said Yancey. 
 

Music and dancing were at the heart of the event, with students joining in line dancing to popular songs. The cookout was more than just a celebration of Black history—it was a chance to come together, express pride and enjoy each other’s company in a fun way and learn in an culturally inclusive atmosphere.
 

“The Black History Month reunion on campus was fun,” said Yancy. “The music, food, and ambience brought a different vibe of black culture.”
 

“The moment was very intentional, black history isn’t just something we read or hear about but it’s something we live in,” continued Yancey.
 

UWG has plenty more exciting events lined up for the remainder of Black History Month. The events are as follows:

• Black History in Business Luncheon on Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom, featuring influential Black leaders in the business world

•  BHM Poetry Slam on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom, where students can showcase their poetry and creative writing

•  BHM Sip & Paint: Rhythm and Blues on Feb. 17 at 5:00 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom— an evening of painting, music and creativity inspired by the sounds of rhythm and blues.
• Late Night With Divine Nine on Feb. 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom, where students can enjoy an evening of entertainment and cultural expression, organized by the Divine Nine Greek organizations.

•  BHM: Family Reunion on Feb. 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the Campus Center back gym, bringing together students, and staff for a fun-filled celebration of Black history and community.

 For more details on these events and to stay updated on all Black History Month activities at UWG, be sure to follow the UWG Campus Life Instagram page @uwg.campuslife.