2025 Black History Month Celebration
Register to join LSTC as we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans throughout history, we are mindful of the troubling waters ahead. For African American in these United States, in the words of the Black Poet Langston Hughes, “Life aint been no crystal stair.” However, we can find hope in the African American hymnal; “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” where the lyrics jubilantly declare “Don’t Be Discouraged With Troubles In Your Life. He’ll Bear Your Burdens. And Move All Discord And Strife.” Hence, as we prepare for these troubling times, the theme for this year’s celebration reflects the hope in our history: “This Far by Faith: Assessing the Past as we Move to the Future.”
This year we celebrate how far we have come by faith, confident that God will “Move all discord and strife” as we move to the future. LSTC’s Black History Month will begin with a Celebratory service of Praise and Worship , led by Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy, President of McCormick Theological Seminary and former Pastor at Rize Community Church in Atlanta, Ga. The Opening worship will be followed by a light reception in the Grand Hallway on the 4th floor.
A Black Movie Night will be held on Friday, February 21st in the Life Together Center in the student housing building at 54th and University. The Movie titled THE FORGE, depicts the struggles of a 19-year-old black youth who recently graduates from high school with no direction for his life. When given an ultimatum by his mother, he meets another black man who changes his life. “With the prayers of his mother and guidance from his new mentor, the young man learns to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God might have a greater purpose for his life.” A brief discussion will follow the film.
The Black History Month celebration will wrap up with multiple events including a Praise and Worship service led by Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams, Jr., prophetic preacher and pastor of First Baptist Church of University Park. The LSTC Antiracism team will provide an “Antiracism Litany of Reaffirmation and Recommitment” during the worship service. And the ecumenical choir, with students from the three seminaries, will provide songs of hope and praise.
Following worship, DA Book Joint Bookstore will be in the Grand Hallway with black books and black authors reading and signing their books. Also, during the Book fair, a “Taste of Soul” reception will be held in the Grand Hallway.
You don’t want to miss these exciting events. The worship services will be hybrid, both in person and online.
Event Schedule
Opening Worship
February 12th, at 11:30 a.m. | LSTC Chapel
Presiding Preacher: Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy, President, McCormick Theological Seminary. A light reception will follow in the Grand Hallway.
Black Movie Night
February 21st at 5:00 p.m. | LSTC Life Together Center
Movie: The Forge. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.
Black History Month Celebration
February 26th, at 11:30 a.m. | LSTC Chapel
Worship Service Presided by Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams, Jr. , Pastor First Baptist Church of University Park. ATT Antiracism Litany of Reaffirmation and Recommitment. Music and Song by Ecumenical Choir.
Da Book Joint Book Fair
February 26th, at 1:00 p.m. | Grand Hallway
Book signings, readings and much more!
“Taste of Soul” Reception
February 26th, at 1:00 p.m. | Grand Hallway
For questions related to this event, please contact Marvis Hardy, Marvis.hardy@lstc.edu