Eastern Michigan University will host Soul Food & Spoken Word Night on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 6–8 p.m. in the McKenny Ballroom. The event is organized by the Black Student Union, the Center of Race and Ethnicity (CORE), EMU Forensics, and the Honors College to celebrate Black History Month.
The evening will feature food and spoken-word performances that focus on themes related to Black history, lived experience, resilience, and creativity. “Soul food and spoken word are more than art forms; they are vehicles of memory, resistance, and connection,” said Sariah Metcalf, program coordinator for CORE. “This event creates space to honor both our past and present while uplifting voices within our campus community.”
Students, faculty, and staff interested in performing a spoken-word piece about Black history or related topics can register as performers. Organizers note that due to time limitations, not all who register may be selected to perform.
The event is free for members of the EMU community. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time so organizers can plan for headcounts and dietary needs. During the evening, guests will have an opportunity to share a meal together and listen to stories presented through spoken word.
Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and is one of Michigan’s oldest public universities. Today it serves over 12,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as arts and sciences, business, education, engineering and technology, health and human services, as well as its Graduate School. The university has been recognized nationally for its academic programs in various fields (https://www.emich.edu/). Its campus features both historic architecture and modern facilities that support student success (https://www.emich.edu/). EMU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors along with a range of graduate degrees (https://www.emich.edu/). The institution emphasizes career readiness through hands-on learning opportunities and industry partnerships (https://www.emich.edu/).
James Smith has served as president of Eastern Michigan University (https://www.emich.edu/).
For more information about the event or to register as a performer or attendee, visit the event website.
To learn more about Eastern Michigan University’s mission or programs offered, visit its official website at https://www.emich.edu/.
