Black History With DEI

By Ja’Bria Laster | Published February 9, 2023

Every year, Black History Month honors the accomplishments of African Americans and draws attention to their crucial place in American history. At Kean University, it is important to educate our diverse campus community on the events that took place in history.

For the month of February, Kean University is hosting events by organizations to honor African American heritage. Making sure that students come together and learn the different components of African American history and where it all took place. 

Some of these events are funded by The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and were added to their Black History Month Calendar. These events include but are not limited to the Black History Month Kick-Off hosted on Feb. 1 and the Black Love Gala that is being hosted on Feb. 16.

Erin Lester, the program coordinator for DEI, connects with student organizations and focuses on student life at Kean University by redistributing money back into student groups and to give the students a great world-class college experience and the opportunity to engage in multiculturalism. 

“I think it is important to have community engagement and involvement. We are such a diverse community and also have such diverse interests that I think it’s important for that to reflect other’s interest,” Lester said.

At events funded by DEI, Erin Lester said it is essential for attendees to not only have fun and engage with one another but to learn something new and have it rooted in future education. There are many different events supported by DEI for students to participate in.

“Black Love Gala taking place Feb. 16, is something I look forward to. Seeing the students dress up and essentially going to a dance which is all culturally picked …I think is a beautiful experience for the students to be a part of,” Lester said.

DEI not only focuses on students but there is a faculty and staff component that is addressed as well. 

Kean University not only welcomes African American students but also supports and sees African American students. It is important for them to know that their lives matter, and their creativity, inspiration, and career goals also matter.

DEI provides programs and academic units with the department of Africana Studies, as far as making sure that it is a foundational base and part of the Kean experience. This is the most important component of what DEI does as an office. 

Saniah Kinsey, a senior majoring in forensic science, is proud of how much effort the university puts into making sure that African American students feel included and heard. Kinsey attends many of the multicultural events that take place on campus to gain knowledge and also participate in fun activities. 

“It is important to engage in these events because you walk in with the same mindset and you leave with a different one,” Kinsey said. “I am very passionate about my culture and I want others to have the same knowledge as well. Kean has definitely made quite an impression on my Kean experience here.”

---