Intercultural Affairs
Black Cultural Center 30th Anniversary
Thirty years ago, three black student leaders began having a discussion with then
President, Dr. Angelo Volpe, to find a place for them to have support for one another
and programming. The Black Cultural Center was established in 1989, opening its doors
officially in August of 1990. In the spring of 1996, black students and staff voted
to rename the Cultural Center after Leona Lusk Officer, the first black graduate of
Tennessee Tech. She graduated from Tech in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree
in Elementary Education. Thirty years of support, education, networking and celebration.
During this pandemic era, we are not going to let that stop us from celebrating. Throughout
Fall 2020 semester, we hope you join us for virtual programming, discussions and events.
We hope to be able to celebrate in-person this spring. To register, please visit the
links corresponding with the event you would like to attend.
University Archives Exhibits
Fall Semester 2020
Leona Lusk Officer Black Cultural Center Events Digital Exhibit – Opened September 14, 2020
- The digital exhibit provides an overview of the range of programming and events that the Black Cultural Center has hosted over the course of its 30 year history. The exhibit features digitized photographs, flyers, programs, brochures, and clippings from the Tech University Archives.
- Please note: The exhibit is best viewed on devices with large screens, such as laptops and desktop computers. The digital format allows viewers to interact with digitized documents and photographs in ways that in-person exhibits do not allow, such as zooming in on materials and downloading copies for themselves, and greater accessibility through transcripts and screen reader compliant PDFs.
Black Cultural Center History Exhibit – Now Open
- The digital exhibit describes the history of the Leona Lusk Officer Black Cultural Center.
Black Cultural Center Oral History Project
- In partnership with the Office of Intercultural Affairs and RACE Plus students, Tech
staff and students are conducting remote oral histories with Black alumni and employees
on their experiences at Tennessee Tech. These oral histories will inform an exhibit
on Tech's Black History and be made available on online for the public. If you are
interested in telling your story, please email Hannah O'Daniel McCallon at archives@tntech.edu.
Spring Semester 2021
- The digital exhibit surveys the Black history of the university from its founding in 1915 through the present day. It features over 175 photographs, oral histories, clippings, flyers, and other documents. Thank you to all of the alumni and students who contributed to the exhibit.
"What Affects One Group Affects All of Us": Black Student Activism at Tennessee Tech - Now Open
- The in-person exhibit is located in the Intercultural Affairs’ case on the top floor
of the Roaden University Center. It highlights the range of Black student activism
from 1968 to 2020. For those who cannot attend in person or who have low-vision, the
posters for the exhibit and a hyperlinked list of the items on display are available here.
College of Business Women's Leadership Conference – Now through November 19
- The College of Business's 2020 Women’s Leadership Conference is a virtual event featuring a series of six visionary, talented, and accomplished women leaders from the courtroom to the boardroom who will inspire and motivate you to become the best version of yourself.
- Speakers include NBC Today Show contributor, Jean Chatzky, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Janice Holder and Tennessee Tech graduate and Founder/Executive Director of Institute for Arts & Academic Leadership and Athletic eXcellence, Leah Denley '91. Make the most of your lunch break on six Thursdays this fall, from 11:00-11:50am CST, by joining us for the conference.
- Visit their website to register.
School of Human Ecology's Historic Costume Collection
Fall Semester 2020
On the Subject of Fashion: Visual Narratives on the Celebration and Appropriation of Fashion in the 1990s
- Opening October 8th, 2020
- This exhibit will feature garments, accessories, and shoes from the Historic Costume Collection at Tennessee Tech, highlighting fashions of the early 1990s. This virtual dress exhibit will explore the history of Black fashion in the 1990s, both the celebrations and cultural appropriations, as depicted in media and pop culture.
- The exhibit opens on October 8th as an online gallery, where viewers may select objects to review at their leisure, in allowing for the creation of unique visual narratives by each visitor. This exhibit serves as an introduction to larger exhibition that will take place in Spring 2021, which culminates in a fashion show highlighting local designers and historic pieces.
- Please visit the School of Human Ecology website to view the exhibition.
Spring Semester 2021
Step and Repeat: Weaving the Tale of Dress Past and Present
- Fashion show highlighting local designers, as well as pieces from the Historic Costume Collection at Tennessee Tech.
- Date: TBD
Intercultural Affairs
Running Through Time: Former Student-Athlete Panel – October 19, 2020 at 6:30pm CDT
- Join us via Zoom as moderator Morris Irby leads a discussion with Frank Jones, Frank Omiyale, and Vernita Young about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the past, present, and future of collegiate athletics.
Celebrating a Legacy - Virtual Panel and Q&A with the Former Student Leaders of the Leona Lusk Black Cultural Center – November 12, 2020 at 5pm CST
- Thirty years ago, three black student leaders began having a discussion with then President, Dr. Angelo Volpe, to find a place for them to have support for one another and programming. That legacy continues to this day as the Leona Lusk Officer Black Cultural Center serves several diverse students across campus.
- Join us via Zoom, as moderator, Corey Prince ’91 leads a discussion with the former student leaders, Richard Fuqua ’90, James Harris ’90, John James ’90, and retired administrator, Marc Burnett ’82, ’86, ’93, on how the center came to be, overcoming the obstacles, and their hopes for the continued growth of the center and the university.
- Click here to register for the event.
Save the Date!
BCC Celebration & Legacy Gala
Saturday, April 10, 2021
