Feb. 13 2020, marked the 6th Annual Black Love Day event at Sinclair Community College. The event, titled “Reclaiming Hope to Walk in Our Purpose,” was focused on “celebrating community, a body of people and culture,” as stated by the Mistress of Ceremony, Felicia Monroe.
The event commenced with a game called “Name that Tune” hosted by Michael Carter, the director of Inclusion at Sinclair. Songs popular throughout multiple generations among the black community were played and the first audience member to name the artist was given one point as well as the first audience member to name the song. The winner of the game decided to share her victory with the three runner ups.
Next, an assistant professor of psychology at Sinclair, who is currently the youngest black female tenured professor in the country, Taylor Michael Curtis, led the audience in the singing of the Black National Anthem.
Valerie Mayfield then presented a tribute to Kobe Bryant titled, “Celebrating a Legend.” In her presentation, she highlighted Bryant’s dedication in all areas of his life such as being a husband, a parent and basketball player. She spoke of his mentality of relentless attitude and becoming a better person. To her, it meant that if one has a dream, one can achieve it by putting in the work. She then led the audience in 24 seconds of silence to honor Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
Professor of Communication Mia Hubbarb was then welcomed to the stage as a guest speaker. She focused largely on the ability to change one’s hopelessness to hopefulness because “when you have hope, you have high energy and you can feel it within you.”
Hubbard mentioned an exercise she does in which she records positive affirmations so that she can be the one encouraging and complimenting herself. This is important because according to Hubbard, “self-esteem will help you be the best you can be.”
Hubbard had many strong points throughout her speech such as the idea that “hope is happy anticipation that something good will happen” and that, “you have to have a vision for your future because being without purpose is worse than death.”
Next was the talent portion of the event. Ali Mahammad started off by reciting a couple of poems centered around what it is like to grow up as a young black man. Reverend Harris then led the Corinthian Baptist Miami Valley District Youth Choir in a performance of “Favor of God.” Carmen Bostic recited a spoken word piece about “raising men then men can lead on.” She then invited a young boy named James to recite a piece about overcoming statistics.
Bostic led the Spiritual Angels Praise Team in a performance of “God is Good ” by Regina Belle. Patricia Baker recited a poem about finding the freedom to become herself. Will Kellum recited a gospel rap and La’Naya Moore recited a poem about being unashamedly Black.
Black Love Day aims to increase peace, stop violence and end Black self-hatred, White supremacy and racism, through spiritual and African-centered alternatives to Valentine’s Day.
Hannah Shafer
Reporter