Cal U marks Black History Month

Contact:
LaMont Coleman, associate dean of Multicultural Student Programs
724-938-5697
coleman_lm@calu.edu

January 1, 2010

Cal U's Black Student Union and the Office of Multicultural Student Programs will celebrate Black History Month in February with an array of campus activities and a trip to the National Afro-American Cultural Center and Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio.

The month's keynote event will be a talk by author and poet Sapphire. Her best-selling novel Push is the basis of the hit movie Precious, nominated for three Golden Globe awards. Sapphire will speak at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Performance Center, inside the Natali Student Center. A book signing will follow.

Other events include a poetry slam featuring professionals and an open microphone at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Gold Rush, and a step-dancing performance featuring The Soul Steppers at 9 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Performance Center.

Campus events are free; the Cal U community and the public are welcome.

A trip to the National Afro-American Cultural Center and Museum also is open both to Cal U students and to community members. Cost is $15 for students, $30 for others; ticket price includes transportation and admission to all sites, a trip to a nearby shopping mall, and dinner at the Golden Corral.

2010 Black History Month Events

Sponsored by the Black Student Union and Office of Multicultural Student Programs

Feb. 1 — 6:30 p.m., church service led by Rev. Montele Crawford, Natali Student Center, rooms 206-207.

Feb. 4 — 5:15 p.m., “Talk back” discussion forum, Carter Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Tamanika Howze, Director of the Kingsley-Lincoln Freedom School, will discuss the history of Freedom Schools.   

Feb. 10 — 8 p.m., poetry night, Natali Student Center, Gold Rush.  

Feb. 11 — 9 p.m.-midnight, Valentine’s dance, Johnson Hall Community Room. Admission is free before 10 p.m., $2 after 10. Half the proceeds will be donated to the Kingsley–Lincoln Freedom School.

Feb. 18 — 8 p.m., game night, Natali Student Center, Commuter Center. A bingo event and a spades card tournament ($15 per team) will be held for cash prizes, in addition to board games and videogaming stations. A portion of the card tournament entry fees will be donated to the Kingsley–Lincoln Freedom School.

Feb. 20 — 6 a.m. Trip to National Afro-American Cultural Center and Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio. Cost is $15 for students, $30 for others. Call Tonya Kirkland, 724-938-4307.

Feb. 22 – 9 p.m., Soul Steppers step-dancing show, Performance Center. This event is co-sponsored by the Student Activities Board.

Feb. 23 — 6 p.m., talk by Sapphire, author of Push , Performance Center. The hit movie Precious , nominated for three Golden Globe awards, is based on Sapphire’s best-selling memoir. The free event is open to the public.

Feb. 24 — 9 p.m., Black history trivia contest, Natali Student Center, Commuter Center . This event is co-sponsored by The National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Feb. 26 — 7 p.m.-midnight, seventh annual BSU formal dinner and dance, Willow Room, Rostraver Township. Bus departs from the Natali Student Center at 6:30 p.m. Limited tickets; cost is $15 per person, $20 per couple. Tickets are available at the SAI offices, Natali Student Center.