Celebrate Black History Month with Fayetteville State University

2021 Black History Month Proclamation

Governor Cooper has proclaimed February 2021 as “Black History Month.” Black History Month recognizes and celebrates African American culture and the many contributions Black Americans have made to our nation. View proclamation (PDF)

Student Events

OUR VISION
Let's Talk: Being Black in America in 2021
February 17, 3-4:30 pm
Panelists:
Dr. Angela Taylor, Criminal Justice
Dr. Oliver Johnson, Social Work
Dr. Stanley Johnson, History
Mr. Ahmahd Moore, Mr. FSU
Virtual, Zoom: https://uncfsu.zoom.us/J/97983546545

Black Her-Story
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority
February 1, 2021- February 28, 2021
The purpose of this event is to promote and educate students on the history of black women in music. Follow Tau Beta Sigma on Instagram (@theta_alpha_tbsigma) and the Bronco Advantage events site for updates.

How it Started vs. How it is Going!
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: FSU Royal Court
February 1, 2021- February 28, 2021
The purpose of this event is to promote various aspects of black history and compare it to the current day. Follow the FSU Royal Court (@faystateroyalcourt) and the Bronco Advantage events site for updates.

PREVAIL Movie Series
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Rudolph Jones Student Center
February 1, February 8, February 22, 2021
The purpose of this movie’s series to focus on how to stand steadfast in the winds of adversity.

Black History Culture Day
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Weekend Activities Committee and Student Activities Council
February 5, 2021
This program will give students the opportunity to dress up as their favorite moment to celebrate black history. Students will be able to share photos of their cultural attire to the Student Activities Council (@faystatesac) or Weekend Activities (@faystatewac).

FSU History Gallery Showcase
On-Going
Rudolph Jones Student Center
Sponsoring Organization: Office of Student Engagement (OSE) & University Archives & Special Collections
February 8, 2021- February 15, 2021
12 pm – 3 pm
The purpose of this program is to showcase the history of Fayetteville State University by showcasing various artifacts that have been collected by the Department of Archives and Special Collection. RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

iLead Podcast
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Bronco iRadio
February 10, 2021
The purpose of this podcast is to explore and dissect the role athletes and coaches play in the history of America and its connection to the black culture.

Breakdown the Bars
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Office of Student Engagements
February 11, 2021
The purpose of this program is to test the knowledge of students through song history. Giving discussion and thought on the lyrics and motives behind famous songs in black culture. RSVP on Bronco Advantage.

Student Black Art Showcase
On-Going
Rudolph Jones Student Center
Sponsoring Organization: Student Government Association & Department of Performing & Fine Arts
February 23, 2021- February 25, 2021
The purpose of this program is to showcase themed art of our current students at Fayetteville State University. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their art to their peers to win an incentive from the Student Government Association (SGA). RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

Black Card Revoked
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Weekend Activities Committee (WAC)
February 26, 2021
The purpose of this fun and interactive program is for students to test their knowledge of black history and culture. RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

Black History Scavenger Hunt
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Weekend Activities Committee (WAC)
February 27, 2021
The purpose of this fun and interactive program is for students to test their knowledge of black history and culture. RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

Gospel Choir Anniversary
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Gospel Choir
February 27, 2021
Annual gospel choir anniversary celebrating our legacy during black history month.

Studio 1867
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: Weekend Activities Committee (WAC)
February 28, 2021
Explore historic African American Hero’s in the form of visual arts and talent expression, RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

Driving While Black
Virtual
Sponsoring Organization: AUTOS Commuter Student Organization
February 28, 2021
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Analyze and discuss ramifications of “Driving while Black”. Students will be able to review clips of documentary and participate in group discussion with special guests.

Black Owned Business Virtual Pop Up Shop
Virtual Social Media
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sponsoring Organization: Freshman Class Council & FSU Royal Court
March 1, 2021
The purpose of this program is to showcase student entrepreneurship, discuss the importance of owning a business, and to give students the opportunity to showcase their business. RSVP to participate on Bronco Advantage.

Events Hosted by FSU

Keeping the Dream Alive
Parent Literacy Workshop
February 25, 7pm
Zoom Event - Register through EventBrite
Presented by The Office of School Service Partnership Committee in the EEMRSE Department in the College of Education
Contact: Dr. Nicole Anthony, nanthony1@uncfsu.edu, (919) 672-1272

Our Voices, Our Votes, and Our Vision
February 18, 3 to 4:30pm via Zoom
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Contact: Dr Dorrance Kennedy, dkenned2@uncfsu.edu, (910) 672-2549

Dr. Lillian Holland Harvey
Dean of Tuskegee University School of Nursing for 30 years beginning in 1948. Established & offered Alabama's first Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
Learn more.

Fayetteville’s Charles Chesnutt: African American Author in the Jim Crow Era
Presented by FSU Global Studies Lecture Series & The LaFayette Society
Thursday, Feb 25, 7-8 pm
Visit lafayettesociety.org for Zoom information.

Mary Eliza Mahoney
She was the first African American registered nurse in 1879. In 1908 she helped to establish the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses and proved, on a daily basis, that black nurses were not inferior to others. The American Nurses Association created the Mary Mahoney Award, which is considered one of the highest honors a nurse can receive.
Learn more.

Charles W. Chesnutt Library Celebrates Black History Month 2021
February 8-28, Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Social Media Posts are scheduled for Noon / Library Open Hours
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Contact: Nicholle Young (910) 672-1545, nyoung01@uncfsu.edu & Velappan Velappan (910) 672-1236, vvelappan@uncfsu.edu

Betty Smith Williams
She was the first to graduate from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the first black individual to teach higher education in the state of California. In 1971 she helped start the Black Nurses Association. To this cay she strives to bring attention to health care disparities in minority communities.
Learn more.

Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Key
Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Key, a native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, was a dual-sport student-athlete at Fayetteville State University. She played major roles as a member of the 1979 CIAA Basketball and 1982 Softball Championship teams.
Dianthia was a basketball All-American candidate and a three-time All-CIAA and All-Tournament honoree (1979, 1981, & 1982). She was named MVP of the softball championship tournament.
As a senior forward, she ranked second in scoring at a 17-point clip while pulling down 12 rebounds per game.
As a freshman, in 1979 she was one of FSU's leading scorers for the CIAA tournament.
Since graduation, Dianthia Ford-Kee has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with her softball and volleyball programs. Her team members have won NCAA national statistical honors, CIAA Divisional Titles as well as NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. Her team won the CIAA Softball Championship four times (1993, 1994, 1996, and 2003) and the CIAA Volleyball Championship twice (1993 and 1995). Ford-Kee was named CIAA Softball Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2003 and Volleyball Coach of the Year 1996 and 2001. The 1994 softball team has gone undefeated in the CIAA and 1994 compiled an overall seasonal record of 30-9. She earned her 100th softball coaching win against DI George Masson in 1994. Ford-Kee led Shaw to a volleyball conference record of 196-61 and an overall record of 247-158. Softball conference record of 121-37 and an overall mark of 309-207.
Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Kee was inducted into Fayetteville State University's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997 and a 2016 inductee into the CIAA Hall of Fame and Shaw University's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Raymond McDougal
Raymond McDougal is a living legend for Fayetteville State Athletics, as he served the Broncos for 44 years in a variety of roles. His most prominent role was as the Head Men's Golf Coach.
Raymond McDougal joined the Fayetteville State University Broncos in 1970 as the head football coach and head coach of the newly formed men's golf program. He turned the golf program over to Dr. Moses Walker after his first year to focus on football. He once served one season as interim head coach of the men's basketball program.
After posting a 3-5-1 record after his first season, Coach "Mac" put Fayetteville State on the football map. He posted a losing season in only three of his first ten years, with back-to-back 7-3 records in 1975 and 1976. He was a three-time NAIA District 26 Coach of the Year (1972, 1973, & 1975) and earned the CIAA Coach of the Year Award in 1975. He coached a total of 17 All-Conference players and nine NAIA District 26 All-Americans.

Frederick Bibby
Frederick Bibby, while attending Fayetteville State University, was not only a superior athlete amongst his peers but also a triple threat. Bibby played basketball and baseball while also running track and field for the Broncos.
Fred Bibby was named All-CIAA in 1963 and again in 1964, where he averaged 23.1 points and 18.1 rebounds per game in his senior season. In January of 1964, he once ranked 11th in rebounding among the NCAA small colleges of the nation with an average of 17 rebounds in five contests.
In his senior year he was named captain for both the track and field and basketball team and was also named to the All-American team in 1963-64. Frederick was considered one of the most prolific scorers of his time- along with his deceptive rebounding abilities that placed him second in the conference.
In the '64 season-opener against Saint Augustine's, Bibby pulled down a Bronco record of 32 rebounds and ended the game with 19 points.
Bibby was inducted into the Fayetteville University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for his outstanding play in basketball and baseball and for his outstanding academic achievement. He was later enshrined into the CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame in 2013.

Thomas L. Reeves
Thomas L. Reeves guided the Fayetteville State University men's basketball team from the bottom of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to one of the all-time powers in just three seasons.
Thomas ReevesThe personable basketball mentor, best known throughout the sports world for his flashing smile and white-shiny boots when he appeared at basketball games.
A few months before his death (August 29), Reeves led the Broncos to the coveted 1973 CIAA Tourney Crown at Greensboro, NC in February. FSU also finished third in the NCAA College Division Regionals at Salem, Virginia. The championship squad finished the year 21-11 overall.
A native of Tarboro, NC, born on February 14, 1925, Reeves is a graduate of Shaw University, where he was an all-time athletic great having participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Playing at the guard position, he was a member of Shaw's 1947 CIAA Football Championship team.
Twice, Reeves was chosen "CIAA Most Outstanding Tourney Coach" in successive years, 1972 and 1973.
In the 1973 CIAA Tournament, Reeves guided his squad to its first and only Tourney Crown beating Norfolk State College in overtime, 94-89.
Under Reeves' tutelage, the Bronco Basketball squad entered their first post-season small college NCAA playoffs when they played Eckerd College, Old Dominion University, and Loyola of Baltimore. The Broncos fared well in the play-offs defeating Eckerd, 95-66, losing to ODU, 80-74, and crushing Loyola of Baltimore, 81-66.
The Tarboro native was a member of the Marine Corps from 1950-53 and was selected to both the All-Marine and All-Navy teams.

James Godwin
James Godwin ended a stellar collegiate career at Fayetteville State University in 1975 after breaking every Bronco rushing record and being drafted in the 16th round of the National Football League and signed by the New York Jets.
"James may surprise a few people," new head coach of the Jets' Lou Holtz said. "He has outstanding speed and was a very durable player in college, while receiving very little publicity for a great job of running the football."
Godwin, a six-foot-two 210-pound running back with an impressive 4.4 - 40, was a two-time All-CIAA and All-American as well as the Broncos Most Valuable Player ('75). The two-year starter gained a total of 2,737 yards for his collegiate career. As a senior, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry, scored eight touchdowns while gaining 918 yards. He nearly averaged 102 yards per game. In 1974, he had his best season on the gridiron with 1,019 yards on 177 carries for nine touchdowns. In '73 he ran over 800 individual yards with 11 touchdowns. The freshman on a football scholarship did not see any of the gridiron due to injuries suffered in the training season.
The Godwin (near Fayetteville), native and business major was named to the Mutual Network Black All-American First Team in 1975. He was also named to the Black Network News All-American Second Team. The Black College All-Americans is sponsored by Mutual Radio Network and General Motors Corporation. In the November 6, 1975 edition of the Johnson publication Jet Magazine, Godwin was named Player of the Week.
Mr. Versatile was the recipient of the Broncos "Best All-Around Athlete" Trophy at the 1974 FSU Sports Banquet.
Godwin excelled in track & field as an All-American with several track meet marks in the high jump. He also excelled at the 100-yard dash with a clocked time of 9.5 seconds. He received the team's MVP award in '73. At the '74 NCAA Division II National Championship, held in Charleston, Illinois, Godwin finished fifth overall in the long jump with a leap of 24 feet and 8 ½ inches. His personal best in the long jump is 25-2 ½.
He was a track star before he became a football great. He never played football until the eleventh grade at Cape Fear High School. CFHS was a brand-new consolidated school in the county. Godwin, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association long jump champion achieved All-American, All-Conference, and All-City honors as a track star. He established a Duke- Durham Relays long jump record of 25'½".
James Godwin was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

James "Jim" Bibby
James "Jim" Bibby arrived on the Fayetteville State campus with a basketball scholarship and a passion for baseball. He disliked basketball but was forced to play because he was the biggest thing in Franklinton (NC) at 6-5 and approximately 200 pounds.
His older brother Fred, a Bronco All-CIAA standout, laid the way for his younger sibling.
Jim had skills on the court, but he made his name on the baseball mound.
Jim saw little time on the court through the regular season as the 11th man. He received the '65 Intramural's Most Outstanding Player trophy for a 32-point 36-rebound game. Bibby did have considerable time on the baseball field.
James Blair Bibby signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent after his junior season on July 19, 1965.
The Broncos discontinued the baseball program in the late '70s. He was the only player from FSU to reach the major leagues.
Bibby, a right-handed pitcher, had a 12-year baseball career where he pitched from 1972 to 1984 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he was a member of its 1979 World Series Champions. He pitched a no-hitter against a team amid a three-year dynasty. Also, in 1981, as a member of the Pirates, he missed out on a perfect game by just one hit, allowing a lead-off single, before retiring the next 27 batters he faced.
Bibby earned his bachelor's degree in health & physical education from Lynchburg College in 1980. His first coaching job was with the Durham Bulls immediately after the conclusion of his playing career in 1984. He was the pitching coach for the Carolina League's Lynchburg, Virginia ballclub from 1985 to 1999. He served the franchise beginning when it was affiliated with the Mets and through parent club/name changes in 1988 (Red Sox both) and 1995 (Pirates/Hillcats). He was honored by the Hillcats in 2002 when his uniform number 26 was the first one retired in the city's baseball history. He spent the 2000 minor league season in the same capacity with the Nashville Sounds but retired from coaching after his contract was not renewed.

Community Events

Self Guided Tour of In Plain Sight: Reflections Past & Actions Present in Durham's Geer Cemetery
All day, available throughout the month of February
FREE
Geer Cemetery, Durham

Rock City Drumbeat
All day, available throughout the month of February
FREE
Virtual

Through the Night
All day, available throughout the month of February
FREE
Virtual

Tar Heel Tales from NC Museum of History: Ruth and the Green Book
February 3, 1-2 pm
FREE
Virtual

The History of NC's Black Musicians: Struggle and Success
February 4, 6:30 pm
FREE
Virtual

Tours of Pope House Museum in Raleigh
By appointment only
Weekends in February
Saturday 9 am to 2 pm
Sunday 1-4 pm
FREE
Pope House, Raleigh

Historic Russell School Virtual Tour
February 6, 10-11 am
FREE
Virtual

OSHR EEO Officer Lunch and Learn
The 1930's Slave Narratives: A First-Person View that Changed our Understanding with Spencer R. Crew
February 10, 11:30 am to 1 pm
FREE
Virtual

History Corner with NC Museum of History: Charlotte Hawkins Brown-Dreamer-Doer-Teacher-Leader!
February 10, 1-2 pm
FREE
Virtual

Sing a Song: The Generational Influence of Lift Every Voice
February 11, 6 pm
FREE
Virtual

Book Reading by Beverly A. Scarlett
February 13, 10-11 am
FREE
Virtual

Preservation Durham's People + Places Speaker Series -- Aaron McDuffie Moore: Founder of Durham's Black Wall Street
February 16, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
FREE
Virtual

History Hunters with NC Museum of History: North Carolina and the Green Book
February 17, 1-2 pm
FREE
Virtual

Backyard History: Cary's African American Community
February 17, 7 pm
FREE
Virtual

#IamRemarkable Workshop
February 27, 10-11:30 am
FREE
Virtual

Celebrate Black History Month with the Historic Raleigh Trolley
February 27, 12:30 pm to 4 pm
$10 (tickets will go quickly)
Mordecai Historic Park

Celebrate literature and hear from North Carolina authors with the Fourth-Annual Black History Month Read-In!

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, in partnership with the North Carolina State Capitol, the State Library of North Carolina, the Richard B. Harrison Community Library, Liberation Station Bookstore, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is presenting the Read-In virtually for 2021. Throughout Black History Month in February, the Commission will highlight individual Black North Carolina children's book authors.

This year's event will be entirely online to ensure the safety of authors, guests, and staff. Each week a video will be released highlighting a different N.C. children's book author. The videos will include an interview with the author and an excerpt from one of their books. You can watch these videos on-demand any time by visiting the Youtube channel of the NC African American Heritage Commission. For information regarding the video release schedule, visit aahc.nc.gov.

This event is presented by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, in partnership with the North Carolina State Capitol, the State Library of North Carolina, the Richard B. Harrison Community Library, and Liberation Station Bookstore.

Featured authors for 2021 include:

• Tameka Fryer Brown is an award-winning picture book author. Tameka will be reading an excerpt from "My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood" (illustrated by Shane W. Evans). Brown's books also include "Brown Baby Lullaby," as well as the forthcoming "Twelve Dinging Doorbells" and "Shirley Chisholm: Not Done Yet." Brown currently resides in Charlotte.
• Judy Allen Dodson is a librarian, archivist, and children's book author. Dodson will be reading "Escape From . . . Hurricane Katrina." Dodson has a passion for celebrating diverse children's literature and teaching children about Black history. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and two children.
• Kelly Starling Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, teaching artist and award-winning author of more than a dozen books that span easy readers, picture books and chapter books, fiction and nonfiction. In 2021, Lyons was made Piedmont Laureate, recognizing her excellence in the arts. Her mission is to center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all kids the storyteller they hold inside. Lyons will be reading an excerpt from "Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon" (illustrated by Laura Freeman). Her other titles include "Going Down Home with Daddy," "Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations," "Tiara's Hat Parade" and the Jada Jones and Ty's Travels series.
• Eleanora E. Tate will be reading "A Blessing in Disguise." Tate is the author of eleven novels and numerous short stories for middle-grade readers, including: "Just an Overnight Guest" (Just Us Books), which was adapted into a television film; "The Secret of Gumbo Grove;" "Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! A Blessing in Disguise" (Just Us Books); "Front Porch Stories at the One-Room School" (Just Us Books); and "Celeste's Harlem Renaissance" (Little, Brown). A Drake University graduate and a long-time journalist, she was an instructor with the Institute of Children's Literature, taught children's literature at North Carolina Central University, and was in the Hamline University Master's degree seeking program Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is a Zora Neale Hurston Award recipient, the highest award given by the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc., and is a former national president.
• Carole Boston Weatherford is a New York Times best-selling author. Weatherford will be reading "Before John was a Jazz Giant" (illustrated by Sean Qualls). She recently released "Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe" and "R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul." Her 50-plus books include the Caldecott Honor winners "Freedom in Congo Square," "Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement," and "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom." Weatherford won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor for "Becoming Billie Holiday," NAACP Image Awards for "Moses" and for "Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America," the Arnold Adoff Poetry Award for "The Legendary Miss Lena Horne," and an SCBWI Golden Kite and WNDB Walter Award for "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library." Among her most popular titles are "Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins" and "The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip Hop." Baltimore-born, Weatherford teaches at Fayetteville State University.