HU Celebrates Black History Month

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will be 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 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. 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.
  
• On Sunday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. in Ogden Hall, the Faculty Recital Series featuring assistant professor of music at HU, Lorraine Bell, soprano with guest Lisa Rutherford Costen, mezzo-soprano, will continue the Black History Month events.
  
• On Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium the HU String Ensemble will be performing their annual “Swing with Strings: An African-American Odyssey” program where they play popular jazz music that makes you want to get up and dance.
  
• On Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Ogden Hall, the beat goes on as the 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 Monday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m., 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.
  

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.