L.e.g.a.C. hosts night of cinematic historical education
On Tuesday night, students gathered to recognize Black figures throughout history that have been portrayed in feature films.
Hosted by registered student organization L.e.g.a.C. (Listening, engaging and growing authentically through Conversation), "Hidden Figures" event provided an educational addition to Black History Month on Central Michigan University’s campus.
Founded in 2023, L.e.g.a.C. aims to encourage intentional conversations between students on CMU’s campus.
L.e.g.a.C. Conversation Facilitator Samahjay Hitchcock said that the organization wants to provide an open and inclusive space for students to discuss “touchy” conversation topics that may not be welcomed in other environments.
The "Hidden Figures" event consisted of a presentation on the lives and achievements of influential Black individuals featured in films, including:
- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson - “Hidden Figures”
- Shirley Chisholm - “Shirley”
- Bayard Rustin - “Rustin”
- Madam C.J. Walker - “Self Made”
- Benjamin Carson - “Gifted Hands”
- Ernest Green - “The Ernest Green Story”
The attendees of the event were also invited to participate in a Kahoot, quizzing them on various facts about Black historical figures. A competitive edge wafted through the air during the game and the excited chattering of audience members echoed through the auditorium.
L.e.g.a.C. Vice President DanYale Wright said they were inspired to host this event by the lack of inclusion of Black figures in historical education.
L.e.g.a.C.'s E-board hosts a game of Kahoot! at the "Hidden Figures" event in Anspach Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (CM-Life | Mia Kerner)
“The idea was basically to highlight Black figures in America that are often are learned about through cinema, not through school or anything,” Wright said. “We’re highlighting a lot of people who contributed to the success of other well-known historical figures, but they’re usually out of the limelight.”
Hitchcock said that he hopes audience members will “avoid ignorance” and “not be blinded but what they may have learned in the past” when encountering non-mainstream historical information in the future.
“It’s important for people of color and people who aren’t people of color to learn more about either their own history or others’ history,” Wright said. “We need to create more cultural awareness and appreciation for everybody's role in American history.”
