“I Am Because We Are” is the theme of The University of Toledo’s 2015 celebration of Black History Month.
During February, offices, departments and student organizations have planned several events.
“The theme comes from the meaning of the Nguni Bantu term ‘Ubuntu’ popularized in modern culture by Nelson Mandela. It is human kindness and the recognition of human kindness. I am because you are,” David Young, director of the UT Office of Excellence, said. “This is the 50th anniversary of the famous Selma to Montgomery march and so many other landmark civil rights initiatives, so we say we are because of the sacrifice of others, and others will be because of the work and sacrifices we make now.”
Listed by date, events will include:
Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Game Plan for Life — Part One, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Sponsor: Brothers on the Rise.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Multicultural Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m., Student Union Room 2500. Stop by to eat and share your opinions. Sponsor: Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success.
Thursday, Feb. 5
• Diversity Training Workshop, 7 to 9 p.m., Student Recreation Center Maple Room. Sponsor: Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success.
Saturday, Feb. 7
• Kickoff Soul Food Luncheon, noon to 2 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Speaker: Dr. Willie McKether, associate dean of the UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, and UT associate professor of anthropology, will discuss collecting oral histories from African Americans and what he learned from the project. The UT Gospel Choir also will perform. Sponsors: UT, Study Hour Club and the Toledo chapter of The Links Inc. The event is free and open to UT students, faculty and staff, but a ticket must be obtained by calling the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261 or emailing oemss@utoledo.edu. Tickets for the public are $20 and may be purchased by contacting Erin Thomas at 419.530.5214 or erin.thomas@utoledo.edu.
Monday, Feb. 9
• Black History Trivia, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union Trimble Lounge.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
• Game Plan for Life — Part Two, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Sponsor: Brothers on the Rise.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
• Multicultural Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m., Student Union Room 2500. Have lunch and share your views. Sponsor: Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success.
Thursday, Feb. 12
• “We Are STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine” with Dr. Yvette Perry, UT assistant professor of family medicine and director of student affairs, career advising and professional development in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Time and location to be announced.
Friday, Feb. 13
• Black Student Union Fashion Show, “Black Revolution,” 7:30 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Tickets: $10 general admission, $15 VIP available at Ask Rocky on second floor of Student Union.
Saturday, Feb. 14
• Career Interest in Law Symposium, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Law Center. Sponsors: Thurgood Marshall Association, Brothers on the Rise and Talented Aspiring Women Leaders.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Film screening of “Selma,” at Rave Cinemas Westfield Franklin Park Mall. Students should call the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261 for time of screening and tickets; seating is limited.
Monday, Feb. 16
Film screening of “Selma,” 11 a.m., Student Union Trimble Lounge.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
• “I Am Because She Was,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Sponsor: Talented Aspiring Women Leaders.
• Mentor Match, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Room 3018. Sponsors: Brothers on the Rise and the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture, 12:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2500.
• Speaker: Rodney O’Neil, chief executive officer and president of Delphi Automotive PLC, 7 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Sponsors: Association of Black Faculty and Staff, Alpha Phi Boule and Brothers on the Rise.
Thursday, Feb. 19
• African Dance Workshop, 7 p.m., Health Education Center Dance Studio. Sponsor: UT FIRE Squad Dance Team.
Saturday, Feb. 21
• Student Trip to Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, contact the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261.
• Third Annual Greek Basketball Tournament, 5 to 10 p.m., Health Education Center Gym.
Monday, Feb. 23
• Talented Enlightening Diverse Dialogue, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Student Union Room 2584.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Behind the Music, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Sponsor: Black Student Union.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Speaker: Kevin Powell, political activist and author, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. He has written 11 books, including Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and the Ghost of Dr. King: Blogs and Essays, which examines politics and social issues like gender violence, immigration and equality.
Events are free unless otherwise listed.
For more information, contact the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261.
