Black History Month Conversation Series
In our newest Conversation Series, we highlight and celebrate Black History Month. During the month of February, we will highlight and celebrate a number of Region IV’s professionals that identify as Black or African American.
About Black History Month
Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements by Black and 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 in the early 1900s. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
Episode 1 | Katherine Geter
In this first episode of this conversation series, we chat with Katherine “Katie” Geter, the Coordinator of Rec Sports and Family Programs at the University of Houston. Katie talked about her pathway to her current role, with stops at Valdosta State and Central Washington University, drinking the campus recreation “Kool Aid” along the way. For Katie, Black History Month is for “celebrating Black excellence,” when the door is “flung wide open” into conversations about the history, experiences and impact of Black Americans, in our field and otherwise.
On behalf of NIRSA, Katie launched an article series highlighting foundational Black professionals in our field called “Pioneering the Way.” She talks a little bit about how she created the series, some key takeaways from the conversations. Check out those articles here:
- Jocelyn Hill, Director of Recreational Sports & Fitness at American University
- Kevin Marbury, Vice President of Student Life at the University of Oregon
- Jean McClellan Holt, Assistant Director of Recreation & Wellness at Old Dominion University
- Juliette Moore, Retired Director at the University of West Florida
- Stan Shingles, Assistant Vice President at Central Michigan University
- Mirum Washington-White, Director of Athletics, Curriculum Chair for Physical Education, Dept Faculty at St Cyril of Alexandria School
In wrapping up the conversation, Katie provided some great insight. For Black students and aspiring professionals:
Build up your community. Get out there and network. Meet people. Black leaders…you know what, all leaders. BIPOCs. Meet them all, and build up a support system of individuals that understand how the diversity and inclusivity of our field makes us stronger and makes us more appealing. And they will support you in that.
For non-black folks, aspiring to fight for social justice:
Be willing to stand up in those spaces we can’t be…As much as you champion us when you’re with us, champion us when we’re not there. Be able to stand up and speak in those spaces when we can’t be.
Feel free to connect with Katie via e-mail at [email protected].
