By Hadley Stein

Students can celebrate Black History Month and get an in-depth look at Malcolm X at the “Necessary!” exhibit and lecture Thursday.

Along with the exhibit presented by Khalid el-Hakim, rap artist and hip-hop academic Professor Richard Griff will be speaking at 6 p.m. in the Centre Theater.

Griff believes in “giving voices to the voiceless,” and was a member of hip-hop group Public Enemy.

Griff’s official website explains that he is “an energetic and passionate educator” who “skillfully customizes this extensively documented lecture to suit the needs of all audiences.”

This puts him in a position to speak after an exhibit that highlights the impact African-Americans, especially Malcolm X, have had.

Malcolm X, an advocate of civil rights, left no published writings besides his autobiography.

The exhibit excited Meredith Howard, a history sophomore.

“When studying Malcolm X in class, we don’t ever see a personal side to him, we only study formal speeches and writings,” she said.

He expressed his beliefs almost entirely through speeches and interviews, which make this exhibit so valuable because of the different view it presents, Howard said.

The exhibit will present more than 200 artifacts on the life and legacy of Malcolm X through original letters, handbills, photographs, newspapers, magazines, figurines and other memorabilia.

“The exhibit provides a visual and provides a remembrance for the people like Malcolm X who gave us what we have now,” Edmund Allen Jr., a biology sophomore, said.

The exhibition will display the artifacts in chronological order, beginning with objects from slavery and finishing with Malcolm X’s impact on the leading hip-hop artists in America today.

“This event is a great way to celebrate Black History Month at the UK,” Allen said.

The UK Black Student Union and Diversity Education sponsor the free event.

The exhibit will be shown on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Center room 206.

“This is a rare opportunity to discover interesting facts and stories about American history in a fun and exciting way,” Allen said.