February marks Black History Month, during which we pay tribute to the significant African American roles and achievements that shaped American history.

Since its inception in 1926, it has gone from Black History Week to a celebration that lasts all month long.
At Madison College, several educational events and presentations have been planned throughout the month.

The Black Student Union will present a panel entitled “Black and Brilliant, Part 1: Success Looks Good on You” on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mitby Theater at the Truax Campus.

“This event encourages and motivates the students on campus to persevere during difficult times when they are trying to reach their goals in life, personally, and professionally,” said Viola Miller, adviser for the Black Student Union.

“It is a panel of Professional African Americans in the Madison Community discussing and sharing their experiences of obstacles and barriers that they encountered on their road to success,” Miller said. “However, these individuals maintained their focus, and stayed on the academic path, until they reached their professional goals.”

Unitied Common Ground is sponsoring a showing of “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai.”

The movie is an inspiring story about Wangari Maathai, the first environmentalist and first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Maathai started planting trees after life had become intolerable. They walked long distances to get firewood, had no access to clean water and the children were malnourished. Maathai had started a revolutionary concept that had everlasting effects.

The free showing is taking place in the Health Education Building room 216 on Feb. 24 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

You can also test your knowledge of Black History Month during PAC’s Black History Month Trivia in the cafeteria at the Downtown campus on Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prizes will be provided.