Hoping to boost awareness of Black History Month on campus after years of low visibility, Georgetown’s chapter of the NAACP is planning to dramatically increase the number of events celebrating African-American culture this month.

“Last year, there weren’t enough events for Black History Month and it seemed like leaders in the organization lacked enough people to put on a successful event,” Thea Fowles (COL ’14), the Students of Color Alliance representative for Georgetown’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said.

The NAACP and its peer organizations, including the Black Student Alliance and the Black Theatre Ensemble, have identified African-American history as the primary focus of the month. According to the NAACP board, African-American history is often left out of the curriculum in standard American history classes.

“My biggest concern is that Georgetown students won’t feel the need to attend Black History Month events. I really would like to see the campus community come together and celebrate Black History Month and recognize that it is an integral component of American history,” NAACP Press and Publicity Chair Deborah Williams (COL ’13) said.

Fowles said one of the highlights of the month’s festivities will be a performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at the Kennedy Center.

“I’m extremely excited about Alvin Ailey because it amazes me how the company is able to take a story that truly reflects the African-American experience and transform it into art,” she said.

Other events will include a screening of “Malcolm X,” a day of service at Ballou High School in Southeast D.C., a dinner honoring NAACP Founder’s Day and a coffeehouse night to honor African-American culture.

“Our community has a lot to offer and has offered a lot to American society,” Williams said. “We want to emphasize that the African-American community is diverse and that we have an array of experiences.”