African-American History Month Program at UA Emphasizes Cultural Contributions

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Crossroads Community Center invites the campus and community to participate in events throughout February during African-American History Month.

This year’s campus celebration promotes recognition of the contributions of African-American culture to our communities and the nation. It will highlight moments in African-American history and the ongoing impact of the African-American experience.

“The events scheduled for February present an exciting array of art exhibits, lectures, films and tours,” said Lane McLelland, Crossroads director. “Celebrating specific events and the insights of personal experience, they provide an opportunity to learn from the work of those who have come before us and to build understanding for the challenges of the future.”

As part of the program, the UA School of Social Work will host an event at noon Monday, Feb. 11, to honor the late Dr. Ethel H. Hall, alumna and distinguished educator. The event will feature guest speaker Lecia J. Brooks, outreach director of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Her address, “Fighting Hate, Teaching Tolerance, Seeking Justice: The Southern Poverty Law Center,” will be in 223 Little Hall.

Throughout the month, students also will have the opportunity to travel to two historic Alabama sites at no cost. On Sunday, Feb. 24, buses will take students to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to explore its exhibits, and on Sunday, March 3, students can travel to Selma to learn about the historic events at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Other program highlights include campus history walking tours offered by Dr. Jason Black, associate professor of Communication Studies. The tours will leave from the rotunda of Reese Phifer Hall at noon on Wednesdays, Feb. 6, 13 and 20. They are designed to give participants an appreciation for the rich history of the UA campus. Like most of the month’s events, the tours are free and open to the public.

 African American History Month events at UA include:

Throughout the month: Alabama African-American History Quiz, Gorgas Library front desk, sponsored by University Libraries; children’s activities, storytelling, motivational speakers, art gallery of famous African-American works and classroom activities, Brewer-Porch Children’s Center; exhibit of African-American historical items, 301 Gorgas Library, sponsored by University Libraries and A.S. Williams III Americana Collection; “Bloodlines” exhibition, Wednesday, Jan. 9 – Friday, Feb. 22, Paul R. Jones Gallery, 2308 Sixth St., Tuscaloosa; and African-American Women Who Dared poster campaign on campus, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center and Student Leadership Council.

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 — An Evening of African Film, Bama Theatre, sponsored by Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation, Afram South, department of gender and race studies, College of Community Health Sciences and Manna Grocery and Deli. Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com or at Manna Grocery and Deli.

Noon, Wednesday, Feb. 6 – African-American Heritage campus tour, Reese Phifer Hall rotunda, sponsored by department of communication studies.

3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 – Research Coffee Hour series, 123 Lloyd Hall, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center Student Leadership Council’s Black Women’s Heritage Month Committee, department of gender and race studies and UA chapter of the international women’s studies honor society, Iota Iota Iota.

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 – “The Immortal Life Across Cultures” documentary series, 205 Gorgas Library, sponsored by Honors College.

Noon Monday, Feb. 11 — Dr. Ethel H. Hall African-American Heritage Month Celebration, “Fighting Hate, Teaching Tolerance, Seeking Justice: The Southern Poverty Law Center,”  with speaker Lecia J. Brooks, center outreach director, 223 Little Hall, sponsored by University of Alabama School of Social Work Board of Friends.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 — National African-American Read-In, Crossroads Lounge, 232 Ferguson Center, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, National Council of Negro Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Student Leadership Council.

Noon Wednesday, Feb. 13 – African-American Heritage campus tour, Reese Phifer Hall rotunda, sponsored by department of communication studies.

3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 — Research Coffee Hour series, 123 Lloyd Hall, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Student Leadership Council’s Black Women’s Heritage Month committee, department of gender and race studies, and UA chapter of Iota Iota Iota

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 –The Immortal Life Across Cultures documentary series, 205 Gorgas Library, sponsored by Honors College

Saturday, Feb. 16 – Sunday, April 28, daily: Bittersweet Harvest, The Bracero Program 1942-1964, Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, Pearce Foyer, second floor, Gorgas Library. For hours, visit http://lib.ua.edu/hours.

Noon Wednesday, Feb. 20 – African-American Heritage campus tour, Reese Phifer Hall rotunda, sponsored by department of communication studies.

3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 — Research Coffee Hour series, 123 Lloyd Hall, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Student Leadership Council’s Black Women’s Heritage Month committee, department of gender and race studies and UA chapter of Iota Iota Iota.

8-10 a.m. Friday, Feb 22 –“Alabama Memoirs: Perspectives on Black History ”radio special airing on WVUA-FM 90.7, sponsored by College of Education and New College.

1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 — On the Town: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (buses leave from Ferguson Center Plaza at noon). Students may register for a free ticket at uaferguson.tix.com. Sponsored by College of Arts and Sciences and University Programs.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 – The Immortal Life Across Cultures documentary series, 205 Gorgas Library, sponsored by Honors College.

3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 — Research Coffee Hour series, 123 Lloyd Hall, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center Student Leadership Council’s Black Women’s Heritage Month committee, department of gender and race studies, and UA chapter of Iota Iota Iota

7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 — “Opening Doors” interactive workshop with Dr. Meredith Bagley and Dr. Jennifer Shoaff, 202 Lloyd Hall, sponsored by “Foster”-ing Dialogue Committee and UA chapter of Iota Iota Iota.

Noon Thursday, Feb. 28 — Every Woman Book Club discussion of “Kindred” by Octavia Butler, University Club, $11.83 for lunch, sponsored by Women’s Resource Center. RSVP to 205/348-5040 by Feb. 26.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 — Sankofa: African-American Heritage program, Ferguson Theatre, sponsored by Sankofa Foundation.

Sunday, March 3 – Bus trip to 48th Annual Edmund Pettus Bridge Crossing re-enactment with pre-march and post-march rallies, sponsored by College of Education. For ticketing information and departure time, visit education.ua.edu.

5:30-7:30 p.m. daily Tuesday, March 5 through Friday, April 19 — “Migration/s” exhibition, Paul R. Jones Gallery, 2308 6th St., Tuscaloosa. Opening reception March 7.

For a complete listing of 2013 African-American History Month events, go to http://www.crossroads.ua.edu/media/pdf/2013_AAHMpdf8.5x11Calendar.pdf. For more information about Crossroads, go to http://www.crossroads.ua.edu/.

This program is part of “Through the Doors,” a year-long series of activities and events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the desegregation of UA in 1963 and honoring the courage and dedication of the two African American students who enrolled in the University on June 11, 1963, as well as the University’s ongoing commitment to change over the past 50 years and to continued progress in the future.