UA Celebrates African-American Heritage Month with Theme ‘Black Economic Empowerment’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – African-American Heritage Month is being celebrated at The University of Alabama with a wide variety of events on campus and a 2010 theme of “Black Economic Empowerment.”

This 84th celebration of AAHM is an opportunity for the entire UA community to appreciate the contributions of African-Americans and to celebrate unity. AAHM, which was started in 1926 by African-American scholar Carter G. Woodson, is held each February to recognize and appreciate the rich heritage, struggles, achievements, progress and diversity of African-Americans.

This year’s celebration brings together the arts, music, history, literature, humanities and social sciences in a celebration of culture, says Brice Miller, assistant director of UA’s Crossroads Community Center. This year’s theme, “Black Economic Empowerment,” allows people to recognize the breadth and diversity of contributions African-Americans have made to American society, Miller says.

Among the events is a public lecture by Theodore Rosengarten, author of “All God’s Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw” and “Tombee: Portrait of a Cotton Planter,” Thursday, Feb. 4, at 4:30 p.m. in 301 Ferguson Center.  Rosengarten, along with Dr. Shirley Dean Ray, granddaughter of Ned Cobb (the Nate Shaw of “All God’s Dangers”) will speak.

A documentary screening of “God Grew Tired of Us,” hosted by The University Union, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Theater, followed by a book discussion on Monday, Feb. 8, at 3:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Game Room.

NAACP Founders Day will be celebrated Feb. 12. Students can also attend the “Resources for Researching African-American Genealogy” lecture, hosted by the UA Black Faculty and Staff Association and the gender and race studies department.

Dr. Samory T. Pruitt, UA vice president of community affairs, said the celebration brings an opportunity to pause from busy schedules and appreciate the exchange of ideas. “The conversations created by these programs invite us to experience the tender heart of intercultural deliberation and affirm our commitment to strong positive relationships among the cultural communities that grace our campus,” Pruitt said. “These creative events offer students, faculty, staff and friends of all cultures a chance to weave a fabric of deep community at The University of Alabama.”

The complete calendar of events includes:

• Motivational programs in area schools and the Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama throughout the month. Sponsored by Black Student Union.

• Brewer Porch Children’s Center activities every Friday morning. Storytelling, motivational speakers, classroom activities and more. Sponsored by Brewer Porch Children’s Center.

• Alabama African-American history quiz available at the Gorgas Library circulation desk throughout the month. Sponsored by University Libraries.

• African-American Women Who Dared poster campaign around campus. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center and Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, throughout the month.

• What Makes You Beautiful opening reception, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 4-6 p.m., Ferguson Center Gallery. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, University Union.

• First Wednesdays @ Crossroads, Kickoff for African-American Heritage Month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 3.  Crossroads Lounge, 232 Ferguson Center. Sponsored by Crossroads Community Center.

• Brown Bag Luncheon with Kwame Jackson, runner-up from season one of “The Apprentice,” former investor with Goldman Sachs, author, speaker and entrepreneur, noon, Thursday, Feb. 4, 305 Ferguson Center. Sponsored by Black Faculty and Staff Association, The Career Center, Dean of Students, University Union.

• “Redundant Women: The Daughters of Ned Cobb,” a public lecture by Theodore Rosengarten, author of “All God’s Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw” and “Tombee: Portrait of a Cotton Planter,” 4:30 p.m., Feb. 4, 301 Ferguson Center. Also speaking, Dr. Shirley Dean Ray, granddaughter of Ned Cobb (the Nate Shaw of “All God’s Dangers”). Sponsored by Summersell Center for the Study of the South, department of history and UA Press.

• Movie Screening, “God Grew Tired of Us,” Sunday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Ferguson Theater. Sponsored by University Union, University Programs.

• Book Discussion, “God Grew Tired of Us,” by John Dau, Monday, Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m., Ferguson Center Game Room. Sponsored by University Union, University Programs.

• Real Talk, Sharing Family Legacies, Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Highlands Community Center. Sponsored by Crossroads Community Center, Blackburn Institute, Housing and Residential Communities, Sustained Dialogue.

• NAACP Founders Day Celebration, Friday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., Ferguson Center Game Room. Sponsored by UA chapter of NAACP.

• “Resources for Researching African-American Genealogy,” Frazine Taylor, 10-noon, 110 AIME Center, Saturday, Feb. 13. Sponsored by UA Black Faculty and Staff Association, department of gender and race studies.

• Film, “Sisters of Selma, Bearing Witness to Change,” Monday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m., Ferguson Theater. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

• Study Abroad Fair, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ferguson Center, Tuesday, Feb. 16. Sponsored by Capstone International Center.

• “Our Voice, Our Leadership, Our Mission: Reclaiming the Black Community,” Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Carmichael Hall rotunda. Sponsored by African-American Graduate Student Association.

• Book Workshop, “The Agitator’s Daughter,” Dr. Sheryll Cashin, Wednesday, Feb. 17, noon, Ferguson Forum. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Counseling Center, Alabama Panhellenic Association, New College, University Union, departments of journalism, American studies, history, anthropology, and gender and race studies.

• “Post Racism in America,” Dr. Sheryll Cashin, Ferguson Forum, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Counseling Center, Alabama Panhellenic Association, New College, University Union, departments of journalism, American studies, history, anthropology, and gender and race studies.

• Every Woman’s Book Club, reading: “The Agitator’s Daughter,” Dr. Sheryll Cashin, Thursday, Feb. 18, noon, Cypress Inn. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center.

• Latino/African-American Interaction, Latinos/Latinas in the U.S. South, UA conference, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19, Capstone Hotel. Registration is free. Sponsored by the department of American studies, Latino Studies Journal.

• State of the Black Union, “Interracial Relationships and International Race Relations.” Speakers: Dr. Cècile Coquet-Mokoko and Dr. Aurèlien Mokoko Gampiot, Sunday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m., Ridgecrest Hall south atrium. Sponsored by UA chapter of NAACP, Black Student Union.

• National Read-In Day, Monday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Crossroads Lounge, 232 Ferguson Center. Open-mic, the works of African-American Women. Bring yourself and your most cherished words. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Counseling Center, Crossroads Community Center, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, African-American Graduate Student Association, gender and race studies department, Pi Beta Phi, Sustained Dialogue, Riptide, School of Social Work.

• Lecturer/Comedian, Preacher Moss, Wednesday, March 3, 7 p.m., Ferguson Theater. Sponsored by University Union, University Programs.

• “Discerning Diverse Voices: Communication and Information Symposium on Diversity,” Thursday, March 4. Sponsored by College of Communication and Information Sciences.

All events are free and open to the public. For more  information, contact Dr. Beverly Hawk or Brice Miller in UA Crossroads Community Center at 205/348-6930, or stop by 232 Ferguson Center. Information is also available at www.crossroads.ua.edu

Crossroads Community Center is an initiative of the UA Office of Community Affairs, under the direction of Dr. Samory Pruitt, providing campus leadership in the areas of cultural programming and intercultural education by facilitating relationship building across cultures through innovative programs and initiatives.