By Whitney Knight

Editor’s note—Every year, each of our four Church of God universities across the United States set aside time to celebrate Black History Month in a variety of ways. Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is one example, and their announcement of Black History Month events and activities is a glimpse of just some of the good taking place in Church of God higher education.

Mid-America Christian University is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of events open to the campus community, as well as the public. Festivities began at 10 in the morning on Wednesday, February 15, with a chapel service featuring Alicia Hill as the keynote speaker in the University’s JASCO Chapel. Hill is a pastor at Community Church of Norman, Oklahoma. Music worship was provided by a gospel choir consisting of MACU students, staff, and community members.

Immediately following the chapel service, MACU’s Cafe 1412 served a special menu, featuring soul food. Guests enjoyed an all-you-can-eat lunch for just $6.50.

That evening at 6:30, a spoken-word poetry reading was held in the Student Center.

From 9 to 1:30 on Thursday, February 16, MACU was scheduled to host the Black Youth Conference for local high school students. This leadership conference featured accomplished leaders in the Oklahoma City community. This conference served as a platform for open dialogue and was open to all high school students. High schoolers who attend the conference and apply to MACU received the chance to win a scholarship to MACU of up to $8,000. The event was free.

At 10 in the morning on Friday, February 17, MACU will welcome Dr. Clarence Hill to JASCO Chapel to deliver a special message. Dr. Clarence Hill is the husband of Alicia Hill and senior pastor of Antioch Norman. Notably, he is the founder and lead visionary of Stronger Together, a movement designed to overcome racial and cultural barriers. Worship music will be led by Mars Coleman, a worship leader and recording artist based in Oklahoma City.

At 1:30 in the afternoon, MACU faculty, staff and students will travel to Tulsa’s Greenwood District for a tour of the Greenwood Rising Museum. The Greenwood Rising Museum is dedicated to the history of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

“Greenwood Rising will educate Oklahomans and Americans about the Race Massacre and its impact on the state and Nation; remember its victims and survivors, and create an environment conducive to fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and heritage tourism within the Greenwood District specifically, and North Tulsa generally,” states the Greenwood Rising website at www.greenwoodrising.org.

The week of festivities will culminate with a Black History Month Block Party, held from noon to 3 in the afternoon on the MACU campus. The event will feature two food trucks, a Black-Owned Business Expo, free Black History Month T-shirts, children’s inflatables, and free admission to MACU’s baseball and basketball games. Admission to the event is free and food is free, while supplies last. Help support local, Black-owned businesses!

Mid-America Christian University offers 27 degrees and 158 program options covering many specific fields. MACU is dedicated to offering a quality, affordable Christian education to traditional high school seniors, college transfers and busy adults who are looking to finish their education, pursue graduate work or get a college degree for the first time. MACU is an endorsed agency of the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The MACU campus enrolls students from 42 different countries and is a minority, majority serving institution. Visit www.macu.edu for more information.

Feature (top) photo: MACU students and employees proudly marched in the MLK Day parade in downtown Oklahoma City on January 16, 2023.