ISU alumna, author speaks to students at black history month celebration

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 - 09:03

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – February is Black History Month and Indiana State University kicked off a month of celebrations Monday with a special keynote speaker.

Students heard from Carolyn E. Mosby, an ISU alumna and the author of the book “Unflappable”.

As ISU celebrates 150 years, Mosby spoke about the impacts of the first African American students on campus.

She also shared some of her own family’s legacies.

“Unfortunately a lot of our history still isn’t taught, so it’s really important that families understand where they came from and that those stories are shared, so we understand the importance that we’ve played in American history,” says Mosby.

ISU senior Nijah Smith was one of the many students in attendance Monday.

“With black history, there’s a lot of struggle but I think one thing that is not celebrated enough is the strength and the inspirations that we’ve had given to people and the accomplishments that we’ve had,” says Smith.

According to Sumalayo Jackson, Interim Director of the Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center, ISU is the only institution in Indiana that admitted an African American as early as 1870.

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