HU Celebrates Black History Month

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will he honoring and celebrating African-American historical pioneers with various events during Black History Month. This year's theme is "Africa Come See What Your Children Are Doing." The students will be exploring music, theatre, art, writing and history of the African-American culture through daily activities that are FREE and open to the public. They will showcase different types of ethnic backgrounds that come from African culture in each of the programs.

• On Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 7pm to 9pm in the Student Center Atrium, there will be a Black History Month Opening Ceremony featuring student musicans and student artwork. This will be a presentation of what to expect during this year's Black History Month. The event will also include a tribute to the Civil Rights Movement in honor of the late Coretta Scott King.


• On Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7pm. In Ogden Hall, UMDABU Dance Company will share the rhythms, sounds and spirit of South Africa for only $5.


• On Thursday, Feb. 2 in the Student Center, the Department of Health Education and Recreation will kick off the Black History Month events by recognizing the National Tobacco Week and the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. There will be a panel of speakers that will help "Break the Myths of HIV/AIDS" by discussing awareness and prevention of the disease. A student panel will give personal testimonials about tobacco use and the event will provide resources to those who are trying to kick the habit and quit smoking. For more details on this event, please contact Dr. Marilyn Wells, chair of the Department of Health Education and Recreation at 727-5208.


• On Thursday, Feb. 2, from 2pm to 4pm in the Harvey Library, there will be an exhibit and lecture: Trans-Atlantic Linkage: The Gullah/Geechee - Sierra Leone Connection. The exhibit is presented by the Museum of Coastal History and The Sierra Leone National Museum, and celebrates the cultural linkage and rich heritage shared by the descendants of Africans and Sierra Leone.


• On Friday, Feb. 3 at 6pm, the National Council of Negro Women will host their annual Fashion Show.


• On Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10am to 5pm, there will be community workshops on African American Genealogy. The workshop facilitators are Professor Robert Watson and Ms. Drusilla Pair. The four sessions are:

  Session 1: Framing the African American Past.
  Session 2: Getting Started Tracing Your Family History.
  Session 3: Using Archival Documents.
  Session 4: Using Computers and Internet Resources.

  Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Contact the Harvey Library at 727-5371.


• On Sunday, Feb. 5 at 4pm in Ogden Hall, the Faculty Recital Series featuring soprano Lorraine Bell, assistant professor of music, with guest Lisa Rutherford Costen, mezzosoprano, will continue the Black History Month events.


• On Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 9am to 3pm, in the Student Center Ballroom, the junior class will be hosting a diabetes testing drive.


• On Saturday Feb. 11 at 10am in the Harvey Library, there will be a family workshop, "How Children of Slavery Lived." The workshop will feature two hours of interactive crafts, lecture, activities and games for children and parents.


• On Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30pm in Ogden Hall, the beat goes on as African-American Music Lecture-Concert Series, The Freedom Movement and its Influence on Gospel Music, will feature HU's gospel choir, His Chosen Sounds, and guest artists.


• On Saturday Feb. 18 from 10am to 5pm in the Harvey Library, Valinda Carroll will host a hands-on workshop, Preservation of Family Memories. The workshop will show simple steps to prevent or reduce future deterioration. Participants will all learn to be better consumers of products and services for storing and framing photos and family papers.


• On Monday, Feb. 20 at 7:30pm, the Student Leadership Program will host its annual Black Extravaganza, a variety show titled "Roots, Rhymes and Righteous Times." The event includes musical performances, poetry sequences, and presentations on mainstream Black issues, guest speakers, skits and more.


• On Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6pm in the Harvey Library, Nancy Rawles will be speaking about her book, Crawfish Dreams. The program will be followed by a question and answer period with the author, a book signing and an open reception for all attendees. Rowles has written three novels and numerous plays. Her books and plays are steeped in the defining events of their times and places.


• On Friday, Feb. 24 from 10am to 9am, in the Student Center, there will be a Black History Month Student Center Takeover. It is an all day event filled with cultural art, expressions and sounds. From 10am to 9pm in the Student Center there will be Dennis Biddle from Yesterday's Negro League to discuss the National Negro Baseball League; Sandra Randolph to discuss the history of quilting, and the Zuwabi presentation will include West African dance and clinic to teach the dances.


• On Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11am in the Harvey Library, author Sallie Ann Robinson will share stories of her life growing up on Daufuskie Island. She will also discuss Gullah and Daufuskie food and culture.


• On Monday, Feb. 27 from 7:30pm to 9pm, in the Harvey Library, the HU Department of English will host guest speaker Ray Mapp, President of Purpose Publishing, Inc. He will share information regarding the many unsung African- American inventors of the 20th and 21st Centuries.


• On Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 8pm to 9pm, in the Student Center Ballroom, there will be "An Evening with Donald Brown: Poetry and Art in Motion." Donald Brown is an Internationally acclaimed sculptor from England who was so well received during his last visit to Hampton University, that we had to request his presence again. His presentation, which consists of sharing slides of his celebrated sculptures that celebrate the beauty of black culture, and the contribution of black people to the world. He also engages audiences with his entertaining discussion about his artistic journey, and mandate to unite the world through art. Autographed prints of Donald Brown's amazing work will be on sale for $60.00 for a set of three prints following the presentation. Visit his website at www.dbart.org. Free and Open to the Public.

All of the above mentioned programs are free and open to the public. Throughout the month there will be daily events hosted by student organizations. For detailed information and a complete schedule of activities, please contact the Office of Student Activities at (757)727-5691.