WKU African American Studies and the Department of History are hosting a virtual performance titled “Unbought” on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. featuring the stories of Ida B. Wells, Sally Hemmings and Shirley Chisholm. 

This performance will feature Core Ensemble and be a musical performance. This event finds itself on the calendar in order to close out the events of Black History Month. 

Black History Month is an annual observance from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28 that seeks to recognize the contributions and stories of Black lives across the globe. Carter G. Woodson is considered the “father of Black history,” and he influenced the founding of Black History Month by celebrating “Negro History Week” in 1926. 

All of the stories being portrayed feature strong and important women in Black history.

Ida B. Wells, one of the women to be featured in the event, helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Additionally, she was a journalist and an educator.

Before her time, people of color were having to advocate for freedom from slavery.

Sally Hemmings was an African American woman who was enslaved to former President Thomas Jefferson. Hemmings was able to negotiate certain freedoms for herself and her children with Jefferson, but while she was a free woman in France, she was re-enslaved by Jefferson as they moved back to Virginia. Meanwhile, her children got to live free lives. 

In the post-segregation era, the United States saw a rise in Black politicians. 

Shirley Chisolm was the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S Congress. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district. 

All of these stories will be featured in the event in the form of a musical performance.

To view this event, visit this link.

News reporter Bailey Reed can be reached at [email protected].