DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a Black History Month Gallery Walk in the Grant Center lobby prior and during Thursday night's men's basketball game. 

The gallery walk features photos and information on prominent people and events. 

"I felt that the Black History Month Gallery Walk is a great event that has turned into an Averett tradition," said senior Morgann Dills, Averett SAAC's secretary. "I believe that this connects the students, the staff and the community on a deeper level. Each and every one of the individuals that were showcased at the Gallery Walk have impacted people in the past, our lives today, and the future to come." 

Averett SAAC reached out to the different athletics teams and assigned them with an import person or event. That team was responsible for writing several paragraphs about that person or event. 

The Black History Month Gallery Walk was an event that began last year and was featured on Averett's Main Campus. This year, SAAC decided to host the event again in conjunction with an athletics event. Prior to the game, numerous students and fans stopped by the gallery walk to read about those who were featured. 

"I thought it was a great event and I definitely enjoyed it because I feel that it is always more meaningful to have traditions," said senior Zamyiah Mangum, Averett SAAC's president. "Since we did this event last year and it turned out to be extremely successful, I felt that we should continue it because I heard lots of positive feedback about the gallery walk. This event helped to get all teams involved while making our campus more diverse along with showing support with Black History Month. It was great to hear people say, 'I didn't know this about this person' because it shows they did learn something. People were able to watch a great basketball game while gaining knowledge and I hope this tradition keeps going."

Among those highlighted were athletes like Jackie Robinson to others like President Barack Obama and Harriet Tubman. 

"I felt that it was a unique twist on a gallery that is geared toward Black History Month," senior Allison Kelley, Averett SAAC's vice President. "We got to showcase people who students learned about growing up and those who maybe we have not heard of before."

For those who couldn't attend Thursday's game, the Black History Month Gallery Walk will remain on display in the Grant Center lobby for several days.

The gallery walk is just one of the many Black History Month events hosted by those in the Averett community during the month of February.