HOUSTON – Cpt. Paul Matthews, curator of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, gave a presentation on the history of African-Americans in the military to over 300 HBU student-athletes Monday night in Belin Chapel.
Cpt. Matthews was joined by actor Wayne Dehart, who portrayed a re-enactment of the life of a Buffalo Soldier, which wove in several stories to depict the feelings and motivations of African-Americans joining the military and the prejudice and racism they faced from others upon enlistment and while actively serving the country.
"We were very honored to have Cpt. Matthews and Mr. Dehart come and speak on our campus," Director of Athletics
Steve Moniaci said. "Their presentation and message were very powerful and I hope our student-athletes gained knowledge and an appreciation they might not have had before."
Cpt. Matthews had been collecting artifacts for more than 30 years before founding the museum in 2001 and brought several of the items to show. He also shared the history of the name "Buffalo Soldier" and how the United States' expansion to the west was accelerated by approximately 50 years due to the enlistment of these brave men.
The Buffalo Solider National Museum is located in Houston and its purpose is to educate the public and to preserve, promote and perpetuate the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of America's Buffalo Soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present. For more information, please visit buffalosoldiermuseum.com.
HBU Athletics celebrates its diversity and different cultures represented across the department and are committed to educating its student-athletes through special programs, including an annual event planned for Black History Month. Due to conflicting schedules, and wanting to include as many student-athletes as possible, this year's event was not able to be held in February.
