Florida Atlantic University will commemorate Black History Month with a series of events. The following events are sponsored by FAU’s diversity committee, unless otherwise noted.
Boca Raton campus:
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11:30 a.m. Traditions Plaza, Breezeway
Opening Ceremony: Celebrating the Cultures of People of African Descent
President Frank T. Brogan will help launch Black History Month activities University-wide at this opening ceremony, along with honoree Lois Martin, an educator and community activist from Pearl City, Boca Raton’s historic Black community. Visit with cultural clubs and historically Black fraternities and sororities from FAU, and feast on soul food.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 9 p.m., Coyote Jack’s Grill, Student Union
Coffee House, featuring Rudy Currence
Singer/songwriter Rudy Currence will perform various R&B and gospel songs as well as songs from his own albums. Currence is the winner of the 2005 ASCAP Writer’s Award and has worked alongside many artists including Mya. He also wrote “Believe In Me” from the “Bourne Identity” soundtrack and a song from “Minority Report,” which starred Tom Cruise.
Monday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Senate Chambers, Student Union
Movie Screening: “The Great Debaters”
Directed by Denzel Washington, “The Great Debaters” is the true story of the unlikely ascendance of the debate team at Wiley College, a small, all-Black institution in Marshall, Texas, in 1935. In this 2007 film, Washington portrays noted poet, social activist and educator Melvin B. Tolson, who coached the Wiley College team.
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union
Student Networking Reception: Meet and Greet Black Faculty and Staff
Take advantage of this opportunity to meet, greet and network with FAU’s Black employees. Hear Dr. Arthur Evans, professor of sociology, speak to students on the topic “Don’t Drop the Baton.” RSVP to Dr. Rozalia Williams at 561-297-3959.
Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union
“Generation Against Negativity and Gangs”
Listen to Thierry “Hiku” Lundy, a former Palm Beach County resident, perform poetry to educate his audience on the dangers of gang violence. A national spoken-word activist, Hiku has performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York, and numerous venues throughout Florida.
Thursday, Feb. 12 and Friday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m., University Theatre, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
“Winning While Losing?: The Conservative Movement and Civil Rights During the Reagan Years”
Civil rights activist Mary Frances Berry will be the keynote speaker at this event. Her topic will be “Winning While Losing?: The Conservative Movement and Civil Rights During the Reagan Years.” This speech is part of “Civil Rights and the Presidency: From Nixon to Obama,” FAU’s third annual Alan B. Larkin Symposium on the American Presidency. Dr. Berry will present the first lecture of the two-day symposium, which will address the history of civil rights in the years following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speakers will put the 2008 election in historical context to answer questions about how American views about race have changed since the civil rights movement.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, noon, Traditions Plaza, Breezeway
Michael McCarty, African Storyteller
Michael McCarty, winner of the National Storytelling Networks 2003 Leadership and Service Award, will perform “Have Mouth will Run It.” This presentation promises to inform, educate, inspire and amuse. Don’t miss this energetic presentation of African and African-American folk tales.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Grand Palm Room, Student Union
“Mzuri is Fannie Lou Hamer”
In her one-woman show, Lorraine “Mzuri” Pope takes on the persona of civil rights activist and voting rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer. Hamer was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) who fought against the injustices that African-American people encountered trying to register to vote in Mississippi. Jailed and beaten almost to the point of death, Hamer slowly recovered and eventually gained national attention at the 1964 National Democratic Convention as vice chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Friday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Majestic Palm Room, Student Union
“Black History Month 2009: Consumerism and Commercialism: A Black Music Symposium”
This symposium will provide the FAU community with an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the tradition of Black music. The Black music tradition directly relates to how African-Americans interpret the world and express their conception of life. Event participants include L. H. Stallings (University of North Florida), Scott Brown (University of California-Los Angeles), Pero Dagbovie (Michigan State University), Dionne Stephens (Florida International University), Michelle Scott (University of Maryland- Baltimore County) and Patricia Saunders (University of Miami).
Monday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., Senate Chambers, Student Union
Movie Screening: “The Wiz”
Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor star in “The Wiz,” the 1978 remake of “The Wizard of Oz,” set against an urban background with an African-American cast. Dorothy is a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher from Harlem who gets lost in a snowstorm and learns the only way she can get home is to rise above her background and the expectations of others.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m., Coyote Jack’s Grill, Student Union
Concert: “Simply Jazz”
Stop by for a casual night of jazz in Coyote Jack’s.
Thursday, Feb. 26, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Majestic Palm Room, Student Union
Art Exhibit: “Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels”
Don’t miss this amazing showcase of artifacts, collectibles and memorabilia spanning 1860 to present. “Sankofa,” a Ghanaian term, takes audiences on a journey back through slavery, the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights Movement as it showcases the contributions of African-Americans. This exhibit is curated by Angela Jennings, a member of the National Black Memorabilia Collectors, and includes a lecture, guided tour and Q&A session.
Broward campuses:
Friday, Feb. 6, 4 p.m., Wellness Center, Davie campus
“National Wear Red Day: Focus on African-American Women”
African-American women have a higher fatality rate from heart disease than women of other races. In addition to wearing red to show support for women’s heart disease awareness, participants can exercise with the wellness team in a walk for fun to encourage physical activity.
Tuesday, Feb, 17, 5 p.m., SD 105, Davie campus
Michael McCarty, African Storyteller
Michael McCarty, winner of the National Storytelling Networks 2003 Leadership and Service Award, will perform “Have Mouth will Run It.” This presentation promises to inform, educate, inspire and amuse. Don’t miss this energetic presentation of African and African-American folk tales.
Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m., Carnival Studio Theater, Davie campus
“Liberty City,” One-Woman Show
In her one-woman show, April Yvette Thompson shares stories about life growing up in Miami’s Liberty City with her Bahamian/Cuban father and African-American mother. Now she brings to life that neighborhood as it was during her childhood. The performance explores race and activism, family, politics and the radical legacies of the 1960s.
Jupiter campus:
Monday, Feb. 16, 4:30 p.m., Student Resources 108
Michael McCarty, African Storyteller
Michael McCarty, winner of the National Storytelling Networks 2003 Leadership and Service Award, will perform “Have Mouth will Run It.” This presentation promises to inform, educate, inspire and amuse. Don’t miss this energetic presentation of African and African-American folk tales.
Monday, Feb. 16 through Friday, Feb. 27, Atrium Gallery, Student Resources Building
Juried Art Exhibition: “Celebrating African-American Art and Artists: New Visions 2009”
This exhibition showcases the two-dimensional contemporary creations of African-American artists related to their experiences and cultural connections to their past, present and future.
Treasure Coast campus:
Monday, Feb. 2 through hursday, Feb. 26, JU Lobby
“History & Heroes” Exhibit
The exhibit will display photographs associated with African-American history and the Civil Rights Movement.
