Gonzaga Celebrates Black History Month

The Gonzaga community came together on Wednesday, February 28 for its annual Black History Month Assembly. Hosted by ONYX, Gonzaga’s black and multi-cultural student association, the event featured poems and musical performances by students as well as a keynote address by Gabe Smith ’54, Gonzaga’s first African American graduate.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Kyle Brown ’18, co-president of ONYX, recognized six students who spent several weeks last summer researching Gonzaga’s history as it relates to slavery. “We must name it and recognize it and acknowledge it,” he said.

Director of Campus Ministry Stephen Szolosi welcomed the community with a prayer, which was followed by a performance by the Gonzaga Jazz Band lead by Mr. David Smith.  Hunter Stewart ’19 read his original poem My Sermon on the Mountain Top  and Myles Dread ’18 read his original poem What If?.  Kyle Brown sang the Negro National Anthem, and Justin Fronda ’20 sang “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.  Kenny Carter ’18, co-president of ONYX, introduced Gabe Smith.

During his address, Gabe Smith talked about his journey from Southern Maryland to Gonzaga in the early 1950s, including the incredible influence of Father Horace B. McKenna and Coach Joe Kozik. “The names on the walls around you are there for a reason,” he told the students, saying that these two men embodied the spirit and character of Gonzaga.  

In October, the Gonzaga community named a portal on Buchanan Field in Gabe’s honor. At the end of his speech, Gabe told the students: “Always remember that you will leave Gonzaga, but Gonzaga will never leave you.”

You can click here to read Gabe's speech in its entirety.

After his speech, Father Planning thanked Gabe for his courage and humility. “As you all know, the research our students did last summer found that one of the slaves associated with the Washington Seminary during our earliest years of existence was named Gabe,” he said. “In my mind, it can’t be an accident that God chose a young man named Gabe to come to Gonzaga during a time of widespread segregation to be part of our community's process of healing.”

We hope you enjoy this video recap of the celebration: