The Office of International Student Programs and Cultural Affairs, along with The Cultural Diversity Council, present A Black History Program at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at Bayou Pointe Event Center. The program is free and open to the public. This year’s program will highlight the talent of ULM students and youth within the community.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Stephen Peters. Peters has been a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary education, and superintendent during his 37+ year career. Most of his experiences have been in schools that made significant growth in short periods of time, resulting in both National and State Blue-Ribbon distinction. An avid sports fan and athlete, Stephen was inducted into the Colleton County basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Stephen is the founder of the nationally recognized Gentlemen’s & Ladies Club programs, featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, which provide options for thousands of at-risk and honor students throughout the United States. Dr. Peters is Past President of the Board of Directors of the International Literacy Association and President of The Peters Group, a national education consulting company. The Peters Group has a track record of creating and sustaining success in schools and districts by supporting educators through a three-step process of teaching and learning.

Stephen is also a best-selling author of several books: Choosing to Believe: Creating a Framework for School Success, Do You Know Enough about Me to Teach Me, Teaching to Capture and Inspire all Learners, Inspired to Learn: Why We Must Give Children Hope and One., A Process For Building Schools of Excellence For Every One and Everyone.

He received his B.S. from Hampton University, his M.Ed. from Old Dominion University, and his Ed.D. from South Carolina State University.