UT announces Black History Month events
Written by Vicki L. Kroll | | news@toledofreepress.comThe University of Toledo will celebrate Black History Month with the theme “Our Story, Our People, Our Destiny.”
“The theme came about organically as the Black History Month Committee members sought a phrase that would pull together the enthusiasm, hope and collective joy over the election of Sen. Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States and still pay homage to historic figures and events that have taken place in the past,” said James Jackson, director of the Office of African-American Student Enrichment Initiatives Office. “The theme was a product of collective imagination with a desire to express to the world that African-American people have a history that is important but at the same time are active participants in their future.”
Starting this week and during February, offices and student organizations have planned several events. In addition, there will be art exhibits on Main, Health Science and Toledo Museum of Art campuses.
Marc L. Neal, author of The Heart of a Champion: Winning the Battle Day by Day, will visit the University Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. in Student Union Room 2592 on Main Campus. He will talk about the keys to fighting and winning the spiritual battle and sign copies of his new book, Keys to Identifying Your Call: A Ministry of Opportunity Awaits You.
The First NAACP Distinction Awards will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Rocky’s Attic in the Student Union. UT faculty, staff and students will be honored, and there will be special performances throughout the evening.
Ritter Planetarium will pay tribute to Black History Month with two shows during February. “The Skywatchers of Africa” will take place Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and “Follow the Drinking Gourd” will take place Saturdays at 1 p.m. Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 12 and younger, and free for children 3 and younger.
Listed by date, other events will include:
Thursday, Jan. 29
Discussion on the historic Obama election, 1:45 p.m., Student Union Rooms 2582-2584.
Saturday, Jan. 31
25th Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Keynote speaker Hill Harper, an actor best-known as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on “CSI: NY,” will talk about the value of an education. Harper is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School.
Feb. 2-27
“The African-American Experience and the Community,” artistic reflections by UT students, Mulford Library Glass Corridor on Health Science Campus.
Feb. 2-28
“Comics in Color: African-American Superheroes,” exhibit of black characters in comic books, Carlson Library Information Commons on Main Campus.
Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25
R.A.A.P. Sessions, noon to 2:30 p.m., Student Union Rooms 2582-2584. Information sessions for African-American students; topics cover personal development‚ financial aid‚ academic assistance and career planning.
Friday, Feb. 6
Movie‚ Food and Conversation: What’s Race Got to do With It? 7 to 10 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Watch John Singleton’s “Higher Learning,” which explores racial politics on a college campus.
Feb. 8-14
Soul Food Theme, 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Skyview Food Court on Health Science Campus.
Monday, Feb. 9
“Struggles and Triumphs of Our Past: Barriers That We Had to Overcome as African Americans,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2592.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Introducing the Diversity Circle and the History of NAACP, 6 to 9 p.m.‚ Rocky’s Attic in the Student Union. Learn how the NAACP began and the differences between ethnicities.
Friday, Feb. 13
Movie‚ Food and Conversation: What’s Race Got to do With It? 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Watch “Crash” and discuss racial experiences from diverse perspectives.
Feb. 15-March 15
“Converging Aesthetics: Paintings and Drawings” by Imo Imeh, Center for the Visual Arts Gallery on Toledo Museum of Art Campus. Paintings and drawings by Imeh‚ a scholar of African art and aesthetics, with accompanying poems by David Ragland. Gallery hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Black History Month Jeopardy and Game Night, 9 to 11 p.m., Student Union Room 3018.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Black Man Wake-Up Call, 2 p.m., Student Union Room 3016. Forum to discuss changes needed on college campuses and in the black community.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
“Whites in Black History: A Choice of Legacies” with Marshall Rose‚ director of the Bowling Green State University Office of Equity and Diversity, noon, Health Education Building Room 103 on Health Science Campus. RSVP: 419.383.3438.
Thursday, Feb. 19
ALMA Dance and Drum Performance, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Skyview Food Court.
Multicultural Jeopardy, noon to 1 p.m., Student Union South Lounge.
“Why Did I Get Married?” forum on black marriages and relationships, 2 p.m., Student Union Room 3016.
“Hot Chocolate After Dark,” 6 to 9:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2591. Watch a movie and have some snacks with Miniya and Student African-American Brotherhood.
Friday, Feb. 20
Soul Food Luncheon, noon to 2 p.m., Student Union South Lounge.
Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 25-March 1
“Crumbs From the Table of Joy,” Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre on Main Campus. Lynn Nottage’s play set in 1950s Brooklyn follows a widower who pressures his daughters to follow strict spiritual teachings in a story that explores race, gender and society. Tickets: $13; $11 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $9 for students.
Monday Feb. 23
The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Benefit Dinner featuring keynote speaker Ohio State Sen. Ray Miller, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $60, $30 for students. RSVP: Office of Institutional Diversity, 419.383.3438.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
“From Black Power to Black Studies: Jimmy Garrett Speaks on His Role,” 3 to 5 p.m., Student Union Room 2592.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Diversi-Tea, 3 to 4 p.m., Student Union Room 2500. Take a break with Caribbean tea and crumb cakes.
Dr. Lancelot C.A. Thompson Achievement Program, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. African-American students who have cumulative grade-point averages of 3.0 and higher will be recognized.
Friday, Feb. 27
Black Student Union Fashion Show and After-party, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Student Union Auditorium.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Saturday Nite Alive, 7 to 10 p.m.‚ Rocky’s Attic in Student Union. Celebrate Black History Month: Present poetry‚ slam poetry‚ spoken word‚ dramatic readings and other talents. Sign up: (419) 530-4944.
For more information, contact the African-American Student Enrichment Initiatives Office at (419) 530-7264 or the Office of Multicultural Student Services at (419) 530-2261.
