Black History Month is an annual tradition that celebrates the African American experience. Here at Stony Brook, we have a rich and diverse African American history that ranges from notable alumni, government officials, artists, athletes and guest speakers to hosting some of the top African American musicians.
Following is a list of some fascinating facts you might not know about Stony Brook’s Black History:
Sonia Sanchez
1. Last year’s Black History Month celebration included influential leaders of the African American movement. Poet, playwright and activist Sonia Sanchez delivered the opening statement at the 2016 Black History Month ceremony. She has received countless accolades such as the PEN Writing Award, the Langston Hughes Poetry Award and the Robert Frost Medal. Social justice leader Yusef Salaam was the keynote speaker at the 2016 Closing Ceremony. He is one of the “Central Park Five,” a group of five teenagers who spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit before the truth about what really happened became clear.
