The University of Toledo

“Stories of Power, Progress and Promise” is the theme of The University of Toledo’s Black History Month celebration this year.

“We wanted our theme to reflect the passionate and elaborate history of black people,” said Jessica A. Merritt, interim program director in the Office of Student Involvement and co-chair of the Black History Month Planning Committee. “We thought it was only fitting to let the individual voices shine through our collective celebration.”

“‘Stories of Power, Progress and Promise’ reflects the deep and rich history of the African-American experience in the United States,” said James Jackson, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services and co-chair of the Black History Month Committee. “It pays homage to the iconic stories of the past — Carter G. Woodson, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — while acknowledging the history that is being made every day by outstanding African Americans — President Barack Obama, Maulana Karenga, Steve Perry, Oprah Winfrey and others. It also challenges many of today’s youth to honor the past, acknowledge the progress that has been made, and fulfill the promise contained within everyone.”

During February, offices and student organizations have planned several events. View them all on Facebook.

UT will announce the winners of the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award at a reception Friday, Feb. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Driscoll Alumni Center on Main Campus. Toledo Mayor Mike Bell will speak at the event. Tickets are $25 and $10 for students.

A conference titled “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted: Emancipating Minds From Psychological Slavery” will take place Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dana Center Auditorium and selected rooms on Health Science Campus. Kevin Powell, activist, author and hip-hop historian, will give opening remarks. Dr. Na’im Akbar, author and Afro-centric scholar known as the “father of black psychology,” will deliver the keynote address during the luncheon at noon. The conference will offer workshops, panel discussions and programs to examine issues that influence the African-American student and community. The cost is $10 and $5 for UT students.

The Second UT NAACP Chapter Distinction Awards will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 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.

“Pillow Talk: New Woman, New Beginnings,” a two-day conference, will look at issues African-American women face; topics will include health, self-esteem and relationships. The conference will take place in the Student Recreation Center Oak Room from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, and continue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13.

Pianist David Hazeltine will perform at the 19th annual Art Tatum Memorial Jazz Scholarship Concert Monday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are $40 for patrons, $15 for the public, $12 for members of the Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Society, and $5 for students and seniors.

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 is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, children 12 and younger, and UT faculty, staff and students, and free for children 3 and younger.

Listed by date, other events will include:

Monday, Feb. 1

• Black History Month Kickoff, noon, Student Union Ingman Room. John Jones, president and CEO of the Greater Toledo Urban League, will speak.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

• R.A.A.P. Session on “Black Is … Black Ain’t,” noon, Student Union Rooms 2582 and 2584.

• “A Family That Preys,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. The Black Student Union will hold a discussion on marriage and family in the black community.

Thursday, Feb. 4

• “40 Years Back in the Day: The Secret Origins of Hip-Hop History,” a lecture by Dr. Rob Prince, UT artist-in-residence in the Arts Living Learning Community, 7:30 p.m. Center for Performing Arts Lab Theatre Room 1039. Following the lecture, there will be a screening of “Tupac Resurrection.”

• Spectrum’s Black History Night, 8 p.m., Student Union Room 3020. UT students and local community members will discuss black history within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement.

Monday, Feb. 8

• “Reality Check,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 3020. The UT NAACP Chapter will host a forum to make sure students are on the right track this semester.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

• “Pick of the Mic” screening, 4:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2500. The documentary features 12 multicultural hip-hop artists and explores lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender messages in music. Pizza will be served.

• Etiquette and Behavior Training, 7 p.m., Student Union Room 3020. Miniya will host a forum on how to properly act in different social situations with a focus on African-American behaviors.

• “Life-Size Monopoly,” 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. The UT NAACP Chapter is sponsoring this game, which will have a historical twist.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

• “Youth in Crime,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2592. The NAACP will hold a discussion about recent events involving young people and crime.

Thursday, Feb. 11

• Miniya Valentine’s Bake Sale, noon to 3 p.m., Student Union.

• “Cigarettes for Breakfast,” 7:30 p.m., Center for Performing Arts Lab Theatre Room 1039. Local African-American filmmaker Daniel Williams will introduce the movie that he wrote, directed and produced and then answer questions after the screening.

• Poetry to the People, 8 p.m., Doermann Theater. See human rights advocates Milton “Ranik” Jackson and Kendall “Chosen” Exume, a spoken word team that uses stereo poetry to examine contemporary issues.

Friday, Feb. 12

• Soul Food Luncheon, noon to 3 p.m., Student Union South Lounge. The Black Student Union will serve African-American dishes.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

• R.A.A.P. Session on “Know My Story, Know My Struggle,” noon, Student Union Rooms 2582 and 2584.

• “Celebrations of a Passionate Journey,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. The Black Student Union will give a presentation on African-American history.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

• Night With the Legends, 7 p.m., Student Union Room 3020. Join Miniya members to celebrate famous African Americans.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

• “Minorities in Education,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. The Black Student Union will sponsor a forum on the lack of education in minority-based communities.

Thursday, Feb. 25

• “Self-Esteem With the Black Woman,” 7 p.m., location to be announced. This event sponsored by the Black Student Union will address the issue of black women and their sense of worth.

• “Crash” film screening, 7:30 p.m., Center for Performing Arts Lab Theatre Room 1039. Watch the 2005 Oscar winner for best picture and then talk about “Avatar” and racial representation in Hollywood in the Obama era.

Friday, Feb. 26

• The Black Student Union Fashion Show and After-Party, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Student Union Auditorium. Cost to be announced.

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.

This entry was posted  on  Monday, February 1st, 2010 at  5:58 am and is filed under  Events, UToday.
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