Black History Month Student Spotlight: Alexis Miller

In honor of Black History Month, Lamar University will celebrate with a series of events organized and sponsored by a variety of organizations, departments and clubs that highlight and pay tribute to the achievements of African Americans and important events that contributed to U.S. history.

In addition to university events, LU also chose to celebrate Black excellence by spotlighting several Black LU students and the many reasons why they feel this month is important. Alexis Miller, junior broadcasting major, shares how she plans to impact change throughout Black History Month this year.

Why does it feel important to celebrate Black History Month?

Celebrating Black History Month is important to me because of what our ancestors went through to get here. We can remember our ancestors everyday, but February is the month where we honor them and often teach children about them. The slavery and struggles our ancestors went through was a stepping stone for us to change the world and for others to realize we are the same people and no difference should be made because the color of our skin.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month to me means celebrating our culture and where we have come from because we weren’t always free. If we didn’t strive to still make this a better place it would be like our ancestors' hard work, blood, sweat, time and tears would be in vein, so I feel like we owe it to them to continue the legacy.

What motivates you to be successful?

My motivation to be successful is my drive to work hard and winners never quit. I always strive to do my best and nothing less.

What Black historical figure is most inspiring to you and why?

Martin Luther King. Many people say we don’t recognize others during Black History Month as we do Dr. King, but in my opinion it’s because of the impact he had on his colleagues –– they were all working together and he was involved in every part of freedom. The history books in schools will only tell you so much about Black history and what Dr. King and his colleagues went through so you must do research and connect all the dots.

What do you hope to accomplish during this month of recognition and celebration?

This Black History Month, I hope to continue moving forward and helping create change around the world and teaching our history, so it doesn’t repeat itself. This month I also hope to help others learn about more activists that played a part in our freedom because it took all of them participating to get us to be free.

Learn more about how Lamar University is celebrating Black History Month this year, visit lamar.edu/blackhistorymonth.