Black History Month at Columbus State

Update | Thursday, January 30, 2020

A number of events will be taking place in February, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, as part of Columbus State’s Black History Month.

African-American Discussions
Each Thursday (February 6, 13, 20, and 27) 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Reynoldsburg Regional Learning Center (RLC) room 101

Description: Every Thursday in February, the Reynoldsburg RLC will feature a different discussion on topics impacting the African-American community. Topics include “A Look Back: 1619-2020” (Feb. 6), “Myths about Black Love” (Feb. 13), “Intersectionality of the Black Experience” (Feb. 20), and “What’s Next?” (Feb. 27). You are welcome to attend one or all of the workshops. For more information, contact Timothy Davis.

25th Annual African-American Read-In Chain
Tuesday, February 11, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Nestor Hall 106

Description: Join the Columbus State English Department and Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion for a celebration of African-American literature and literacy. Participants can select and read their favorite excerpts of prose, poetry, fiction, or other works written in honor of the African-American experience. If you are interested in reading a selection or would like more information about the event, contact Robyn Lyons-Robinson.

1619: Legacies of Slavery and the Struggle for Freedom
Wednesday, February 19, 2 p.m.

Location: Franklin Hall 104

Presented by the Arts and Sciences Faculty Lecture Series Committee and the Humanities Department. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, associate professor of history at Ohio State University, will speak about the legacies of slavery. He is the author of “Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama’s Black Belt.” Register at Eventbrite and search for Hasan Kwame Jeffries. For more information, contact Matt Adkins.

Poets in Black
Thursday, February 20, noon-1:30 p.m.

Location: Library Media Studio (Columbus Hall 111)

Description: Enjoy African-American poetry and prose at the 22nd Annual Poets in Black. To sign up to read poetry, or get more information, please contact Crystal Clark.

30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: “Sankofa, A Vision in Action”
Wednesday, February 26, 10 a.m.-noon

Location: Mitchell Hall Event Center

Description: This will be Columbus State’s 30th year hosting a celebration in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets are free with registration. Register at this link. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event will feature historical anecdotes about the life of King, a keynote speaker, and musical performances. This year’s theme, "Sankofa: Vision in Action," will feature a keynote address by Columbus native Kimberly Brazwell, a trauma-informed social justice consultant with more than 15 years in community building and advocacy experience. Contact Terrence Brooks for more information.

Black History Month at Reynoldsburg
Thursday, February 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Reynoldsburg Learning Center (RLC) room 101

Description: Tim Davis, supervisor at the (RLC), will facilitate “What’s Next." Cultural food samples will be included. On-site, you will also experience an immersive engagement. Each hallway highlights influential black musicians, artists, authors, poets, and significant figures that you can interact with.

Spiritual songs to highlight Black History Month
Friday, February 28, 7 p.m.

Location: Nestor Hall Auditorium

The Columbus State Gospel Vocal Ensemble (GVE) will celebrate Black History Month by presenting "The Spiritual Songs & Hymns of Harriet & Hamer." This melodious journey from the plantation to the polls will consist of narratives and period music as favored by Harriet Tubman, an Underground Railroad conductor, and Fannie Lou Hamer, the famed civil rights activist. Read more.

In addition to the Ensemble, special guests for this performance will include author and lyricist Stephanie Bridges, producer and playwright Francine Marchelle, and orators April Martin and Natasha Graggs.  The CVE is under the direction of Emma L. Easton. Admission is free. 

Black History Month social media campaign
Description: All month long, check out the Columbus State social media accounts (including the primary Facebook and Twitter accounts, among others) for posts recognizing key people and events from African and African-American history.

Black History Month at the Library
An exhibit by African-American artist Henry Cade, Jr. is on display in the Library’s first and second floor galleries. Read more. 

 

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