Black History Month Events Include Negro League Baseball Presentation

Jan 25, 2018

Cal U plans a series of events in February to celebrate Black History Month.

As part of Cal U's Black History Month celebration, Josh Gray, Pittsburgh Pirates' community outreach coordinator, will present "Long Live Their Legacy: A Celebration of Negro League Baseball," at 1 p.m. on Feb. 7 in Duda Hall, Room 103.Josh Gibson painting.

"Long Live Their Legacy" is a Black History Month initiative the Pirates designed to help educate students in surrounding communities about Negro League baseball, its ties to Pittsburgh, and the influence it has had -- and still has -- on the game.

Pittsburgh was a hub for Negro League baseball during the first half of the 20th century and the only city in the country that had two black professional teams -- the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Those teams featured stars such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Buck Leonard.

Gray said the Pirates are committed to celebrating that legacy with fans of all ages and backgrounds.

"The program is important because of the history Negro League baseball has in Pittsburgh with the two teams that were here, and because of how it impacted the game that we see today," Gray said. "Hopefully this presentation captures the essence of the struggle that impacted the game for at least half a century."

The presentation is sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute at Cal U.

Other Black History Month events

The theme for Black History Month is "The Legacy Lives in US!" Admission is free and the public is invited, unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 1 -- Black Arts Festival- Hidden Figures, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Vulcan Gallery, Vulcan Hall. Cal U student art will be featured during this African mask exhibit through live painting and spoken word. Light refreshments will be served at the event, which is sponsored by the Department of Art and Languages and Cal U Women United.          

Feb. 5 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Giving, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Natali Student Center Performance Center.  A series of volunteer activities and donation opportunities will benefit various local nonprofit organizations such as the Good Eats Program, Ali's Books, Center in the Woods, Cal U Cupboard, and the Greater Washington County Food Bank. Donations of gently used children's books, toaster pastries, board games, jigsaw puzzles, new toiletry items, school supplies, and non-perishable food are welcome. This event is organized by the Office of Diversity Education and Multicultural Affairs, and the Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning.

Feb. 6 -- Central Bank Blood Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Natali Student Center Performance Center. To make an appointment, contact the Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning at 724-938-4784 or visit www.centralbloodbank.org.

Feb. 19 -- Soul Food Luncheon, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Gold Rush Culinary Center. Diners enjoy a menu created from recipes and stories contributed by members of the Cal U community. Soul food is a term used for an ethnic cuisine, food traditionally prepared and eaten by African Americans of the southern United States. AVI Dining and Catering Services is the event sponsor.

Feb. 21 -- Black Arts Festival & Multicultural Affairs Night at Cal U Basketball, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center. Enjoy Vulcan basketball against Seton Hill and the chance to win free T-shirts and novelty items. Halftime performances at both games will include tributes to Black History Month. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for visiting students. Cal U students with valid CalCards and children under age 12 are admitted free.

Feb. 1-28 -- The Dream Legacy Service Challenge. To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life of service, campus clubs, organizations and offices can compete in this challenge by registering through Orgsync and participating in the various activities. The student organization and office that compiles the most volunteer items and donations will each receive a free pizza party by challenge sponsors the Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning and the office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Education.

For more information about the challenge, email volunteer@calu.edu.For more information about Black History Month events at Cal U, contact the office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Education at 724-938-5758 or webb_s@calu.edu.