During the month of February, Siena Heights will be celebrating Black History Month by hosting events on campus weekly. One may ask, why this important? Among other things, many inventions that we use today would not have been possible without African Americans.

“Just think where we would be if we didn’t have stoplights,” said Sharese Mathis, director of Diversity and Inclusion.

Inventions like stoplights, as simple as they may seem, have had a great impact on people’s lives. If not for Garret Morgan, driving would be much more chaotic.

Mathis grew up learning about black history from her parents. Her grandparents were born in the 1900s and lived during the time of the Jim Crow laws and other political factors leading up the civil rights movement.

She grew up listening to their stories and hearing their perspectives on “what is was like to be a black person that couldn’t look a white person in the eye.”

Mathis was a part of the committee that met in November to plan Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

During the month of February, there will be multiple events planned for students, staff and faculty alike to gain some new perspective and educate themselves on the importance of black history.

There will be new facts coming out every day pertaining to Black History Month. Mathis said this month will present things in a different way that allows those involved to be able to understand issues in a new light and start a dialogue.

“I encourage people to think outside the box,” said Mathis.

Some upcoming events include the Aquinas Forum on Valuable Mistrust by Meena Krishnamurthy on Feb. 6, followed by the showing of Straight Outta Compton on Feb. 11. Rounding out the month will be the Apollo Talent and Comedy Show. For those interested in participating, there is a sign up sheet on Mathis’ office door, which can be found in The Hub on the second floor of the University Center.