A Lesson in Black History

Leadership and learning go hand in hand. Part of your own leadership development is learning new things about those you serve and work with. There are so many differences on campus --- cultural, gender, faith-based, geographical, to name a few. Take some time to explore areas that you are not familiar with. You will grow as a leader and as an individual.

In celebration of Black History Month, learn a little about the history of the African American culture by answering these questions, or asking others in an effort to raise awareness in your organization.

Questions:
1. Why was February chosen for Black History Month?

2. In what year did Black History Month begin (after being Black History Week)?

3.Which civil rights leader became the first African-American to make a serious bid for the U.S. presidency when he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1983?

4.Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at Cal. State University, created _______ as a way to unite the African-American community after the Watts riots in L.A.

5.Who was known as the “Moses of her people,” helping more than 300 slaves escape via the Underground Railroad?

6.Which black track-and-field athlete won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, thus derailing Adolf Hitler’s intent to use the Olympic Games as a display of Arian supremacy?

7.Which black broadcaster and author hosts his own radio and TV show?

8.Which state east of the Mississippi was the first to give African American women
the right to vote, in 1913?

Answers:
1. Because it contained the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men who made a significant impact on black history.

2. In 1976, the celebration was expanded to the entire month of February.

3. The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

4. He created the well-known holiday of Kwanzaa, which is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, in 1966.

5. Harriet Tubman.

6. Jesse Owens.

7. Tavis Smiley.

8. Illinois

Want to explore more on black history…check out these websites!

History.com
Biography.com

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If and When Were Planted but Nothing Grew

As a leader, you’ve probably already noticed that some students are procrastinators. You may even be a procrastinator yourself!

Most people have experienced a missed deadline or cramming for a test. But how do you know when procrastination has become a real problem?

It’s okay to put things off every once in awhile or to give yourself a break from a task and then come back to it. But procrastinating regularly can be a real problem.

Procrastination has both mental and physical impacts. Procrastination can be caused by depression; a desire to avoid negative experiences; being overextended; perfectionism; a fear of others’ feedback; lack of training, along with other things. Dr. Joseph Ferrari, an associate professor of psychology at DePaul University (IL) told Psychology Today that real procrastinators do five telltale things:

1. Underestimate how long it will take to get something done.
2. Overestimate the amount of time they have to get something done.
3. Overestimate how motivated they’ll feel the “next time” when they
expect they’ll get something done.
4. Mistakenly believe that working when they’re not in the mood is less
than optimal.
5. Mistakenly believe that, in order to succeed at a task, they need to
feel like doing it.


If you are really concerned that a student has taken procrastination tendencies to the extreme, confront the issue in a caring way. Share your concerns and why you are worried by using “I” statements.

Identify what you have noticed. Perhaps the student is just going through a rough spell. If not, and you think the person needs assistance, direct him to the appropriate resource on campus.

Addressing the problem early on will enable the student to develop better habits for the future.

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