SNDA Annual Black History Month Dinner a Great Success

IMG_1516On Thursday, February 23, 2017, the BU Chapter of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) hosted their second annual Black History Month Dinner in the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Cafeteria. The event featured a “Spoken Word” performance and delicious southern food catered by Slade’s Bar and Grill. The event was organized by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of GSDM’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) in coordination with the SNDA.

Vice President of the SNDA, Charles Lewis DMD 18, opened the evening by reflecting on the history of Black History Month and its significance in American history. “During this month we have the opportunity to celebrate amazing individuals like Madam C.J. Walker, who became America’s first Black woman millionaire, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. We also remember the distinct singing voice and skilled trumpet playing of jazz legend, “Satchmo”, also known as Louis Armstrong. No one will ever forget the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, who firmly believed in the advancement of civil rights, and before him, those of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington,” said Lewis.

Other highlights of the evening included poetry recitations by Mercedes Cisneros SAR 19 and Isabel Alexandre. Attendees were also treated to a game of charades, a crowd favorite. Approximately 45 members of the GSDM community were in attendance.

Black History Month, also known as, National African American History Month, is an annual month-long celebration honoring black Americans and the role of African Americans throughout U.S. history. What started as only a week of celebration in 1926, which was created by Carter G. Woodson to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, became Black History Month as time went on. Since 1976, every February has become the home for Black History Month in the U.S. Internationally, Canada and the United Kingdom have also devoted a month to celebrate Black history.

The SNDA chapter at GSDM is a diverse and all-inclusive organization which exists to help the growth of members academically and professionally.  Specifically, SNDA supports and mentors pre-dental students for matriculation and retention into dental schools, especially underrepresented minorities students; educates its members in the social, moral, and ethical obligations of the profession of dentistry; and improves access to dental care and the delivery of dental services to all people, emphasizing minorities and the underserved through education and community service. The current members of the SNDA board are; President Tamara Gordon DMD 18, Vice President Charles Lewis DMD 18, Treasurer Eshere Barbea DMD 19, Historian Justine Yeung DMD 19, and Community Service Coordinator Rowan Doyle DMD 19.

“I would like to thank the SNDA for continuing this wonderful tradition of hosting the Black History Month Dinner,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Our diverse community is committed to celebrating and learning about what makes us unique, and our Black History Month Dinner is and will continue to be a wonderful example of this. Thank you to all who organized and attended this special event.”

More photos from the event can be found on Facebook.