Array of events mark Black History Month at BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Bowling Green State University will celebrate February as Black History Month with events ranging from music and theatre to academic discussions. Following is a sampling of some of them:

The Black Student Union will kick off the month with a free luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 1 in 101A Olscamp Hall.

That evening, from 7-11 p.m., the ninth annual Black Issues Conference gets under way at the 8 o'clock Room in Kreischer Quadrangle, where participants can network with guests from BGSU and other universities while enjoying food, music and entertainment.

The conference, titled “Black Is; Black Ain't,” will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 in 101 Olscamp Hall, and is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives (CMAI).

Guest speaker is Dr. Na'im Akbar, a clinical psychologist who is well known for his Afrocentric approach to scholarship and his research into the cultural basis of personality and mental health issues of African-Americans. Now on the clinical psychology faculty at Florida State University, Akbar received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan.

An open forum on Feb. 7, “Fade to Black” will explore the relationships between black Americans and Africans. Sponsored by the African People's Association and the Black Student Union, the discussion will take place from 7-9 p.m. in 308 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

The Black History Month Quiz Bowl, from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 15 in 201A Union, will give participants a chance to test their knowledge. The bowl is sponsored by the Black Student Union and Students of Color Mentoring, Aiding, Retaining and Teaching (S.M.A.R.T.).

Music

There are several music-related events during the month, including “Hip-Hop Music as Black Popular Culture,” presented by Dr. Angela Nelson, chair of the popular culture department. Sponsored by the CMAI, her talk will begin at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14 in 201 Union.

On Feb. 27, “Real Hip-Hop/Music,” from 7-11 p.m. in the Union's Black Swamp Pub, will feature original poetry, live bands, emcees, neo singers, smooth rock, rap, R & B, jazz and hip-hop. The evening is sponsored by the Black Student Union.

CMAI's popular annual dinner theatre, on Feb. 22 and 23, will feature comedian Jay Lamont. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performance of “The Best of Dinner Theatre” on Feb. 22. The $15 admission fee includes light refreshments. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. Saturday performance, a semi-formal event with a cash bar and dinner buffet. Tickets are $20. Call 419-372-2642 for tickets.

Food

Because food is an integral part of culture and history, University Dining Services will mark the remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month with several special lunches and dinners.

A Southern food buffet will be on the menu Thursday (Jan. 31) in the Union's Bowling Greenery, and on Feb. 12, a cultural themed dinner will be served in Commons Dining Center.

Black History Month theme lunches will be offered Feb. 13 in McDonald Dining Center and Feb. 22 in the Union's Falcon's Nest, and a theme dinner will be served on Feb. 27 in Founders Dining Center.

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Editor's Note: For more information on Black History Month events, contact Bonnie Blankinship, Marketing and Communications, at 419-372-2618 or bblanki@bgsu.edu.

(Posted January 24, 2008)