Mizzou’s celebration of Black History Month is in full swing with a schedule of events that includes lectures and panel discussions, art exhibits, concerts and films, a bone marrow drive. The “We Speak Series” offers recreations of great African-American speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., Toni Morrison, Stokely Carmichael and Maya Angelou, among others.
“The 2010 Black History Month schedule offers a diverse selection of events — a cornucopia of sounds, sights and tastes for nearly every palate,” says April Langley, associate professor of English and interim assistant director of the Black Studies Program. Langley also is chair of the Black History Month planning committee, and she highlights some of the month’s new events as well as old favorites that are returning with new vigor.
Tomorrow, Feb. 12, those romantically inclined can take part in the “One Love” Valentine’s Day event at 6 p.m in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. Columbia’s own ragtime icon John “Blind” Boone will take center stage once again. Volunteers can pitch in to help “rescue”
Blind Boone’s piano at 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Second Baptist Church at Fourth Street and Broadway.
The State Historical Society and the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection, both housed in Ellis Library, encourage those interested in their genealogy to come in for “The Great Dig.” During the daylong events on Feb. 12, 19 and 26, staff members will work with the public one-on-one to research their family history.
At a brown-bag lunch seminar beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, guest speaker Alisa Warren will discuss “Show Me the Success: Black Businesses in Columbia, Mo.” And the Black Law Students Association will host guest speaker Rawn James, at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Hulston Hall courtroom for a discussion on “The Significance of Lloyd Gaines on African-American History in the Past, Present and in the Future.”
A complete schedule of Black History Month events is available online at blackstudies.missouri.edu/feature-stories/2010/black-history-month/index.php.
“2010 offers a Black History Month calendar full of empowering, entertaining, consciousness-raising and educating events,” Langley says. “We hope all of our MU community will partake of this year’s rich offerings. Remember, Black History Month is for everyone. It’s American history, African history, European history, and MU and Columbia history.”