Throughout the month of February and thanks to the efforts of the University’s William A. McClain Center for Diversity, Concerned Black Students (CBS), the Office of Student Involvement, the Tiger Counseling Center, and Wittenberg’s Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC), Wittenberg will host numerous events and activities as part of its Black History Month programming series.

Wittenberg welcomes marketing expert and industry leader John Shumate, class of 1999 and current member of the University’s Board of Directors to campus on Feb. 21. Shumate will discuss how to navigate and network while being Black in corporate America, as well as the importance of making connections in one’s field at 7 p.m. in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning.

Shumate currently serves as vice president of global brand marketing, Champion Brand, at Hanesbrands Inc. in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area. The University’s keynote speaker for Opening Convocation 2021, he formerly served as vice president of brand marketing, luxury properties, at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, and as vice president for marketing and brand management at Eastbay, a subsidiary of Foot Locker. Prior to these positions, Shumate was the director of strategy and innovation for the Water+ brand at PepsiCo. He also held marketing positions with a number of sports teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Orlando Magic, and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Other February events include:

• All month: Black History Month Book Display at Thomas Library, all of which are available for checkout. 
• All month on Instagram: Black History Social Media Campaign - each day of February @WittDiversity will be featuring an influential leader in the Black community. 
• Feb. 9: Black History Trivia with Student Involvement and The Hagen Center, 7 p.m. at Founders Pub.
• Feb. 15-17: Black Love Movie Series, hosted by the McClain Center For Diversity at 6 p.m. each night.
• Feb. 18: CBS Walkout reenactment, 1 p.m., meet at the Campus Seal and walk to Founders Pub in the Benham-Pence Student Center for an open discussion. Participants should wear all black.
• Feb. 26: “Minds like Mine” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room 105 of the Shouvlin Center. This event is a collaboration between the Tiger Counseling and Concerned Black Students, and will feature two guest speakers leading a discussion on “Mental Health in the Black Community.” 

“We want to destigmatize and debunk stereotypes of mental health services,” said Debbie Beausejour, associate director of the McClain Center for Diversity. “Raising awareness and sharing ways to enhance a healthy mental health is very important. There will be a wellness activity, and we will share resources with the students on how to achieve and maintain healthy mental health practices.”  

About the McClain Center for Diversity
The refurbished William A. McClain Center for Diversity, located at 834 Woodlawn Avenue on campus, is named for the groundbreaking Cincinnati-based attorney and member of Wittenberg’s class of 1934. One of the most respected, trailblazing attorneys in the nation, McClain received numerous honors during his illustrious career, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding ethnic Americans and their contributions to America. McClain, who also earned the Wittenberg Medal of Honor, passed away in February 2014 at the age of 101. Corinne Witherspoon was named the center’s first director in 2020.

About Black History Month 
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Source- History.com