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Alumnus el-Hakim Brings his Exhibit `NECESSARY' to Ferris for Black History Month

Khalid el-HakimFerris State University alumnus Khalid el-Hakim, founder and curator of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, returns to campus to display his exhibit, “NECESSARY” on Friday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the IRC Corridor.

“NECESSARY” celebrates the legacy of Malcolm X and other black revolutionary leaders. This event is free and open to the public. It is part of the Office of Multicultural Student Services 2014 Black History Month Celebration.

El-Hakim attended Ferris where he was influenced by current Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion David Pilgrim, the founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia. It was at that time el-Hakim became interested in the creation of a project that would have a lasting impact on young people. The time that el-Hakim spent with Pilgrim, then his Sociology professor, was profoundly influential, but he did not realize his true purpose until the October 1995 Million Man March in Washington D.C. It was at that time his hobby was transformed into a museum. His first piece was collected in 1991 during a brief stop at a Tennessee gas station. Since that time, his collection has grown to more than 1,500 artifacts of African American culture.

“It is important to collect these types of artifacts as a reminder to Americans of what our struggle for freedom has been,” el-Hakim said during a prior visit to Ferris.

Black History Month Celebration co-sponsoring student organizations include Alpha Kappa Alpha-Zeta Epsilon chapter, B.L.A.C.K., Delta Sigma Theta-Zeta Rho chapter, NAACP Ferris chapter and You Beautiful Black Woman.

For any questions about an event you may contact OMSS at [email protected]. If assistance is needed to attend an event due to disabilities please call (231) 591-2617 with at least 72 hours in advance of the event.