“Unity” is the theme of The University of Toledo’s celebration of Black History Month.
During February, offices, departments and student organizations have planned several events.
“Our theme this year was chosen to signify efforts of the institution and University community to unite in celebration of history, culture and excellence,” said Mérida Allen, associate director for the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Success, and chair of the Black History Month Committee.
“There are two signature events we would like to highlight and encourage our entire University community to support: the kickoff luncheon featuring Professor Yanick Rice Lamb from Howard University on February 8 at noon and the unveiling of the Dr. Lancelot Thompson Meeting Room February 19. Email oemss@utoledo.edu to RSVP for these exciting events,” she said.
In addition, the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Success is holding an essay contest for UT students who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The prize: a $200 gift card to the Barnes & Noble University Bookstore. Applications and essays are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24. For more information, contact Allen at merida.allen@utoledo.edu or 419.530.3824. The winner will be notified by email Friday, Feb. 28.
Listed by date, events will include:
Monday, Feb. 3
• Black Student Union Bake Sale, noon to 2 p.m., Student Union tables.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
• Ice Cream Social, “LGBTQA and the Black Community,” noon to 2 p.m., Student Union Room 2500. This event will be hosted by Spectrum and the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
• Black Student Union Meeting, “Culture,” 7:30 to 9 p.m., Student Union Room 2592.
Thursday, Feb. 6
• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture, 12:30 p.m., Student Union Room 3016. Topic: “The Role of the Community and Minority Media in the 21st Century.” Speaker: Fletcher Word, co-owner and publisher of The Sojourner’s Truth, a weekly newspaper in northwest Ohio.
• Student African-American Brotherhood Proactive Leadership Program, “Where We Came From, Where We Are Going,” 8 p.m., Student Union Room 2591.
Friday, Feb. 7
• HIV/AIDS Awareness, 6 p.m., Student Union Room 2592.
• Harlem Renaissance Night, “A Tribute to Black Poets,” 7 to 9 p.m., Rocky’s Pub and Grill.
Saturday, Feb. 8
• Kickoff Soul Food Luncheon featuring award-winning journalist and author Yanick Rice Lamb, noon to 2 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. RSVP: oemss@utoledo.edu, 419.530.2261.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
• Minority Study Abroad Informational and Diversi-Tea, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Center for International Studies and Programs, Snyder Memorial Building Room 1000.
Thursday, Feb. 13
• Dance Workshop, “I Like the Way You Move,” 7 to 9 p.m., Health Education Center Dance Studio, Health Science Campus.
• “Bad Credit: Why Do We Have It?” 8 p.m., Student Union Room 2591.
Monday, Feb. 17
• Black Cinema, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Student Union Room 2500.
• Black Jeopardy, 7 to 9 p.m., Student Union Room 2582.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
• “When and Wear: Appropriate Dress,” 7:30 to 9 p.m., Student Union 2591.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
• Unveiling of the Dr. Lancelot Thompson Meeting Room, 6:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2592. The renovated space will be named to honor the professor emeritus of chemistry, who also served as vice president for student services for 22 years.
• Black Student Union Rec Night, 10 p.m., Student Recreation Center.
Thursday, Feb. 20
• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture, 12:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2579. Topic: “African-American Genealogy: An Amazing Journey Through Time.” Speaker: Debra Middleton, secretary 2 in the UT Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
• Cards Galore, Black Student Union event, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Auditorium.
• Student African-American Brotherhood Movie Night, “The Butler,” 8 p.m., Student Union Room 2591.
Friday, Feb. 21
• Black Student Union Fashion Show, “Color Me Bad,” 6 to 9 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Tickets: $10, $15 VIP available at Ask Rocky on second floor of Student Union.
Saturday, Feb. 22
• UT Gospel Choir Concert, 6:30 p.m., Body of Christ Church, 5612 W. Bancroft St. Free event; donations welcome.
Monday, Feb. 24
• Black Cinema, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Student Union Room 2500.
Thursday, Feb. 27
• Student African-American Brotherhood Teachable Moment, 8 p.m., Student Union Room 2591.
All events are free except the Black Student Union Fashion Show.
For more information, contact the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261.
