On Feb. 1, Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library will celebrate Black History Month with a visit from author Jacqueline Hamer Flakes.
Flakes is the daughter of Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights leader during the 1960s and 1970s. In her novel, “Mamma Fannie”, Flakes detailed a biography of Hamer’s life.
Despite brutal violence and attempts at intimidation, Hamer worked tirelessly during the later years of her life to empower thousands of people during the Jim Crow era. She traveled extensively to educate people on the reality of what was happening in the South.
Hamer formed community organizations, like Freedom Farms, that benefitted many Mississippians. Through this organization, 640 acres of community farmland helped provide stability for families of the Mississippi Delta.
Flakes will speak on her mother’s legacy at 2 p.m. in the John Grisham Room.
In Flakes’ discussion on her mother’s success and hardships, she said she hoped to transport listeners to a keystone moment in African American history — a time that Flakes believed was significant to revisit today.
“If you go back in time and reference what she was doing in the early ’60s, then just know that this is the same thing that’s happening now. We’re going through a lot now, so this is the time that we are coming to work together and get our lives right and try to step back into what Mamma Fannie was doing back then,” Flakes said. “Because if we don’t, then we’re going to lose a lot.”
DeeDee Baldwin, a history research librarian at the Mitchell Memorial Library, said she invited Flakes to speak so students can connect with a past that is not as distant as it seems.
“There’s still stuff going on now with fighting over voting rights — we’re still fighting some of the same battles,” Baldwin said. “A lot of people think all that stuff is over, and it’s not.”
Flakes encourages those interested in this part of American history to attend her talk, titled “What Would Momma Fannie Do?” and view the documentary “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America.” Flakes will hold a book signing after her talk.
Timothy Hopkins works in the Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion at MSU to help organize some of the events for Black History Month. Of the events scheduled, Hopkins said he was most looking forward to the Black History Month Mixer on Feb. 16, an event aimed at fostering strong connections between students and faculty outside of the classroom. Refreshments will be provided.
On Feb. 17, the Dawgs after Dark event Good Times will be hosted at 8 p.m. in the Perry Cafeteria. The event will be a game night where students are encouraged to wear ’70s, ’80s and ’90s-inspired outfits while enjoying bingo, culturally-based jeopardy and board and card games.
Next is the Maroon Lounge: Celebrating Black Music event on Feb. 23. The celebration will spotlight Black musical artists whose voices and songs have changed the world over decades and across genres. Attendees can expect a live band performance, social interactions and refreshments.
In the Colvard Student Union, the art exhibition “Called to Create: Celebrating Black Artists” will display a collection of works by African American students and community members throughout the entire month of February.
Black History Month events will conclude with Talented 100 on Feb. 27 in Lee Hall.
From musical and dance exhibitions to oratorical performances, various acts of African American talent will be showcased.
Hopkins said it is important for students to seize the opportunity to dive into the past and continue to reflect on African American history.
“I think that there’s an opportunity for students to use it as an educational opportunity in order for them to learn, to grow and to continue to develop,” Hopkins said.

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Samuel Hughes | The Reflector

Author, daughter of civil right leader set to kick off MSU's Black History Month