Before every athletic game in February, Quincy University plays the anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in honor of Black History Month. Along with the anthem, the university created a video showcasing influential Black historical figures and the impact they have made throughout history.

The video highlights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson. These individuals played major roles in shaping American history and advancing civil rights. Their efforts helped create opportunities and freedoms that continue to impact society today.

The idea for the video began with Jim Lawrence and Caren Kemner, who wanted to find a meaningful way to honor Black History Month. They hoped to create something more powerful than previous displays and believed that combining music with visuals would leave a lasting impression.

“We felt that pairing the anthem with a visual presentation, featuring faces, words, and meaningful moments from Black history, would create a more impactful and educational experience. Our goal was to honor the legacy, resilience, and contributions of black Americans while providing our campus community with a moment of reflection and appreciation,” Kemner said.

In past years, the university typically displayed a still graphic during games in February. Lawrence said he wanted to create something new and more engaging for students, athletes and fans.

“In previous years we have basically had a still graphic up during the start of the games during Black History Month, we thought it would be a great idea to showcase some of the famous black historical figures in history at these events this year. So, we put a video together highlighting the accomplishments by historical black figures in our country throughout the years,” Lawrence said.

The new video has received positive feedback from students and athletes. Sydney Runsewe, a student-athlete who has celebrated Black History Month in Quincy for the past four years, said the presentation adds meaning to the experience.

“The video is a great addition that Quincy University has added this year to play while the audience listens to Lift Every Voice. It helps us remember those powerful and resilient leaders who helped make a change for African Americans in America,” Runsewe said.

The video and anthem work together to educate and inspire the campus community. By honoring past leaders and their sacrifices, the university encourages reflection and appreciation for the progress that has been made.

Through this initiative, Quincy University continues to show its commitment to celebrating Black history and culture. While February is dedicated to Black History Month, the university recognizes the importance of honoring African American contributions year-round. The video serves as a reminder of the strength, perseverance and impact of Black Americans and their lasting influence on the nation.