Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will celebrate Black History Month 2015, “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture,” this February with a variety of programs and activities across campus, including a panel discussion hosted by journalist Soledad O’Brien as part of her “Black in America Tour.”
The month-long series of lectures, performances, movies and discussions will celebrate diversity and inclusion on campus, with particular focus given to milestones in African-American culture during the 20th century.
The “Black in America Tour” will come to UGA on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Grand Hall. The event will feature a presentation by O’Brien in which she will highlight and discuss recent race-related events and show clips from some of her documentaries and pertinent news stories. She will also moderate a panel of experts on the relationship between law enforcement and minority communities. Panelists include economist, author and political commentator Julianne Malveaux and socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell. Tickets are $5, free for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus; they are available at the Tate Student Center Cashier Window.
“This year, we will highlight Black/African-American historical icons while also honoring the good work of lesser known figures closer to home,” said Zoe M. Johnson, director of multicultural services and programs. “In this way, we will acknowledge the important efforts that our neighbors, classmates, colleagues and friends are doing in our very own communities to advance issues of inclusion and social justice.
“Given the recent events in Missouri and New York, there is a national hunger and critical need for thought, reflection and discourse around the experiences of African Americans in a way that honors the courage and activism of the past, present and future,” Johnson said.
Other events associated with Black History Month are as follows:
FaceOff 2015 Step Show
Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Classic Center
The National Pan-Hellenic Council’s annual dance competition features performances by fraternities and sororities. Tickets are $20 in advance at the Tate Student Center Cashier Window and $25 at the door.
Black History Month Kick-off
Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tate Student Center Plaza
Multicultural Services and Programs offers music, tabling by student organizations and information about opportunities to get involved in Black History Month programming.
Performance: “A Lesson Before Dying”
Feb. 3-8 at 8 p.m., also Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m., Steney-Stovall Chapel
University Theatre presents a performance based on the Ernest J. Gaines novel about an innocent man condemned to death by electric chair in 1948 Louisiana; tickets are $12, $7 for students, and are available at drama.uga.edu.
Community Service
Feb. 4, 4-6:30 p.m., Brooklyn Cemetery
Students, faculty and staff may volunteer to assist in the cleaning and maintenance of Athens’ historic cemetery. Transportation will be provided from Tate Student Center. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs and the Center for Leadership and Service.
“Hands Up: 6 Playwrights, 6 Testaments”
Feb. 4, 8 p.m., Tate Student Center Theatre
Six 10-minute monologues written by African-American male playwrights will be performed by members of the Black Theatrical Ensemble.
Stories of Everyday Black History
Feb. 5, 7 p.m., Tate Student Center Reception Hall
This discussion will provide an intimate glimpse into the experiences of Black faculty and staff members at UGA. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs.
Holmes-Hunter Lecture: Glenda Hatchett
Feb. 6, 2 p.m., UGA Chapel
This year’s annual address is presented by the judge, author and star of the television court series Judge Hatchett. The event is sponsored by the Office of the President.
A Night in Old New Orleans
Feb. 7, 8 p.m., Hodgson Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center
An evening of great tunes from the old days of the Big Easy, features clarinetist Orange Kellin and his trio and Obie Award-winning song and dance man Vernel Bagneris. Tickets ($25-$35) are available through the Performing Arts Center box office, 706-542-4400.
NAACP Founders Week: Kick-off
Feb. 9, time TBA, Tate Student Center Plaza
A variety of activities will celebrate the rich history of the UGA chapter of the NAACP.
NAACP Founders Week: Her Reality
Feb. 10, time and location TBA
This program will focus on the struggles faced by and overcome by African-American women.
NAACP Founders Week: Iconic Exhibit of the African-American Woman
Feb. 11, time and location TBD
This exhibit will highlight influential African-American women throughout history.
Community Service
Feb. 12, 2:30-5 p.m. Brooklyn Cemetery
Students, faculty and staff may volunteer to assist in the cleaning and maintenance of Athens’ historic cemetery. Transportation will be provided from Tate Student Center. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs and the Center for Leadership and Service.
“The Power of the ‘N’ Word”
Feb. 16, 8 p.m., Myers Hall Programming Room
A panel of professionals on interpersonal communication, African American studies and student life will facilitate an open discussion on the “N” word-its usage, and its past, present and future relevance. The event is sponsored by University Housing, Myers Community.
“Black in America Tour featuring Soledad O’Brien”
Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Tate Student Center Grand Hall
The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs, University Union Student Programming Board, University Housing, Center for Leadership and Service, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Peabody Awards, Office of Institutional Diversity, Black Educational Support Team, Black Affairs Council, Black Theatrical Ensemble, Pamoja Dance Company and the Black Male Leadership Society.
Black History Month Dinner
Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Georgia Museum of Art
Tickets are $55, $45 for members of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art and $20 for students or $15 for student members. RSVPs are due to 706-542-4199 or gmoarsvp@uga.edu by Feb. 6.
Community Service
Feb. 18, 2:45-5:15 p.m. Brooklyn Cemetery
Students, faculty and staff may volunteer to assist in the cleaning and maintenance of Athens’ historic cemetery. Transportation will be provided from Tate Student Center. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs and the Center for Leadership and Service.
Chow and Chat
Feb. 19, noon, Room 473, Tate Student Center
A discussion series will encourage dialogue about significant issues affecting students, staff and faculty of UGA, with an emphasis on topics impacting people of color. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs.
UGA’s Desegregation: A Student Perspective
Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Reading Room, Miller Learning Center
This student-led lecture and dialogue on the university’s desegregation in 1961 will examine the segregationist and anti-segregationist movement, highlighting influential individuals and explaining how far the university has come regarding racial inclusion and diversity. The event is sponsored by the Office of Institutional Diversity.
Africa Night
Feb. 20-21, 7 p.m., Morton Theatre
The African Student Union will host its annual celebration of the continent of Africa with song, dance and poetry.
Panel Discussion: “The State of the Black Church”
Feb. 21, 4 p.m., Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Mahler Hall
Faith leaders from the Athens area will discuss strategies and structures to uplift the community and to challenge the minds of UGA students. The event is sponsored by the Institute for African American Studies, Black Affairs Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and J. Ricardo Smith Ministries.
Unity Ball
Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Georgia Museum of Art, M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall
This annual formal event celebrates and promotes diversity and the unity of the campus community. The event is sponsored by the Black Affairs Council.
Week of Soul Kick-off
Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tate Student Center Concourse
Students can participate in activities and games and enjoy free food. The event is sponsored by the University Union Student Programming Board.
Glory Bound: A Voyage into the Underground Railroad
Feb. 24, 6-8 p.m., Reed Hall
This guided interactive re-creation of the Underground Railroad will allow participants to experience the voyage of fleeing slaves in search of freedom. The event is sponsored by University Housing, Reed Community.
Week of Soul Concert: Raury
Feb. 24, 8 p.m., Tate Student Center Grand Hall
Rising rap artist Raury, who released his first album in 2014 to critical acclaim, will perform. The performance is sponsored by the University Union Student Programming Board. Tickets are $5 or free for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus.
Week of Soul: Film: “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (2012)
Feb. 25, 8 p.m., Tate Student Center Theatre
This acclaimed allegorical film tells the story of a six-year-old girl searching for her mother in a fantastical world. Tickets are $2, $1 for students.
Week of Soul: Film: “Dear White People” (2014)
Feb. 27-March 1, 3, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
A film about a campus culture war at a predominantly white school that comes to a head when the staff of a humor magazine stages an offensive Halloween party. Tickets are $2, $1 for students.
For more information about individual events, see the UGA Master Calendar at http://calendar.uga.edu.
Multicultural Services and Programs, the Greek Life Office, Tate Student Center, the Center for Leadership and Service and University Housing are departments within UGA Student Affairs.
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 19 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and emotional development. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.uga.edu.
