University of Cincinnati Events Observe Black History Month

Dramatic performances, music, movies and book displays are all part of the events planned for Black History Month at the University of Cincinnati. Many of the events are presented by UC’s student organizations and are free and open to the public.

Last fall, UC’s African American Cultural and Resource Center (AACRC) celebrated 20 years on campus. The center supports the mission of the university by recruiting, retaining and encouraging the success of students of color at UC.

As part of Black History Month, the AACRC kicks off its 13th annual Kuamka Week on Jan. 28. Kuamka is Swahili for “in the beginning.” This year’s theme for Kuamka Week is “Live Out Loud.”

Here’s the schedule for Kuamka Week as well as other Black History Month events at UC:

UC Archives Unveil the Papers of Theodore Berry

UC Libraries reveal the papers of Cincinnati’s first African-American mayor, a UC alumnus. Available for research and study in the Archives and Rare Books Library, the Theodore Moody Berry Papers provide an historical record of civil rights and community politics during the 20th century, including issues surrounding Cincinnati politics and history, housing and fair treatment for the poor and neighborhood activism. This history covers Berry’s involvement in Cincinnati City Council, the NAACP and the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity. They also include civic activism records, his personal papers and biographical material.

Saturday, Jan. 28

7-9 p.m., Over-the-Rhine Community Center – Kuamka Skating Party
The Kuamka Skating Party officially kicks off the week of Kuamka and an opportunity to meet the UC student candidates who could be crowned Mr. and Ms. Kuamka. To compete for Mr. and Ms. Kuamka, the registered student candidates must be upperclassmen and must display good academic and social standing and be active with the AACRC.

Jan. 30-March 4

UC Bookstores Display, Level 3, Tangeman University Center – The display will feature 16 titles including “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” “Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America,” “Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” “What Color is My Word” and “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African-Americans.”

Monday, Jan. 30

7 p.m., MainStreet Cinema, Tangeman University Center – Meet Mr. and Ms. Kuamka
The AACRC holds a public forum to meet UC’s 2012 candidates for Mr. and Ms. Kuamka. The student candidates will answer questions on a myriad of topics from a panel of judges and will be critiqued on poise and the clarity of their responses.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

5-6:30 p.m., AACRC – In Living Color
The AACRC’s Habari Gani Ambassadors host their first program during Kuamka Week. Habari Gani is Swahili for “What good news do you have?” The event explores the mystery within each individual’s unique personality and offers a colorful and fun way to analyze its effect on leadership.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

4-5 p.m., AACRC – Black History Month Opening Ceremony
The event is sponsored by the United Black Student Association.

7-9 p.m., Great Hall, TUC – Kuamka Talent Show
The Kuamka Talent Show will showcase the Mr. and Ms. Kuamka candidates’ artistic abilities through song, dramatic interpretation, dance and more.

Thursday, Feb. 2

6:30-8 p.m., AACRC – “Live Out Loud” Alumni Networking Reception

Friday, Feb. 3

Noon-2 p.m., AACRC – Kuamka Pride Day
The celebration will include t-shirt, music and other giveaways.

4-6 p.m., AACRC – International Slam Poetry Night
The International Slam Poetry Night is designed to bring together students of diverse backgrounds from the university – as well as the Cincinnati community – through artistic expression.

Saturday, Feb. 4

7-10 p.m., Great Hall, TUC – Kuamka Red, Black, Green and Gold Ball
Kuamka Week ends with this celebration involving semi-formal or African-themed attire. The extravaganza will feature the Rites of Passage program for the AACRC Transitions students, a first-year experience program geared toward building student success and retention. The event will also feature the Kujifunza academic ceremony and the coronation and crowning of Mr. and Ms. Kuamka. Mr. and Ms. Kuamka will serve as the key ambassadors for the African American Cultural & Resource Center and will develop platforms for programming during their reign. Free tickets for the ball are available in the AACRC.

Monday, Feb. 6

5:30 p.m., 320 University Pavilion – Brace Yo’self
This event will explore self defense and sexual harassment in the workplace. The event is sponsored by the ADVANCE program in the Career Development Center. ADVANCE is a unique student African-American and professional development organization at UC.

7 p.m., AACRC – The Newlywed Game
As part of Black Love Week, sponsored by the United Black Student Association, this event recognizes the positive aspects of black love in relationships.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

11:30 a.m., UC Blue Ash: Science & Allied Health Building, Room 100 – Martin Luther King’s Dream, Barrack Obama, and the Myth of a Post-Racial Society: Can We Yet Hope for a New Narrative?
This lecture will be presented by Rodney Coates, professor of sociology and gerontology, Miami University.

Lecture description: Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech galvanized the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, class or handicap. In this dream, the essence of the American creed was reaffirmed by requiring that we judge a person “by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.” But as the guns wielded by those who hate continue to kill, as unrest continues to produce chaos in the Middle East, as children slaves are being sold in Darfur, as the poor continue to be over represented in prisons and under represented in our college classrooms, as women continue to be denied equal pay and rights, and as those who look different from ourselves are dismissed, ridiculed and denied basic freedoms, then we must question just how far we have come toward the realization of the dream.

Thursday, Feb. 9

6 p.m., AACRC – @Unity#Black#LGBTQ
This event involves an examination and discussion about the relationship between the black community and the black LBGTQ community. The event will feature presentations and activities centered around the importance of language, LGBT black history and what it means to be an ally. The program is sponsored by the UC LGBTQ Center and AACRC, in conjunction with the UC student groups, Colors of Pride, United Black Student Association and Black Arts Collaborative.

Friday, Feb. 10

5-9 p.m., Stratford Pavilion – Speed Dating
This event will unite students in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The event, part of Black Love Week, is sponsored by the United Black Student Association.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

1-2 p.m., MainStreet Cinema, TUC – American Spiritual Ensemble
The national American Spiritual Ensemble is composed of some of the most talented singers around the United States, and the group has thrilled audiences around the world. UC faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this event to learn more about the ensemble’s history as well as to enjoy their performance. The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services and the AACRC.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Noon-3 p.m., AACRC – Mooz-Lum Lunch and Lecture – The lecture will be led by film director Qasim “Q” Basir. Sponsored by PAC, United Black Student Association and Muslim Student Association.

7 p.m., MainStreet Cinema, TUC – Movie: Mooz-Lum
Free and open to the public, the film tells the story of an African-American Muslim family whose lives are changed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath. The 2010 independent film stars actor Danny Glover, and is written and directed by Qasim “Q” Basir. Sponsored by PAC, United Black Student Association and Muslim Student Association.

Monday, Feb. 20

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Muntz Hall Lobby, UC Blue Ash – National African-American Read-In
The National African-American Read-In is sponsored annually in February by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Black Caucus Division and has been endorsed by the International Reading Association. The read-in at UC Blue Ash will begin with Nikki Taylor, a UC associate professor of Africana Studies, who will read selections from her book, “Frontiers of Freedom: Cincinnati’s Black Community 1802-1868.” Taylor will be followed by UC student, faculty and staff readers who will share short selections from books and poems authored by African Americans. The event will feature free bookmarks and a literary list of resources. UC Blue Ash will also serve as a community sponsor of local read-ins held by schools and churches, encouraging their participation in the National African-American Read-In.

5:30 p.m., 320 University Pavilion – Are You Selling Out?
Sponsored by the ADVANCE student organization, this program examines that phrase, as students strive to be successful or seek advancement.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

5:30 p.m., Stratford Heights Pavilion (lower level, 2634 Stratford Ave.) – Documentary: A Vital Service

This documentary explores crucial reproductive health issues affecting the African-American community. The reception and screening will be followed by a Q&A panel. The event is hosted by the UC student organization, Cincinnati VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood and the resident advisors (RAs) at Stratford Heights.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Noon, AACRC – Knowledge at Noon
Sponsored by undergraduate students in the Africana Studies program.

Monday, Feb. 27

6 p.m., Zimmer Auditorium – Lear Green

National storyteller Vicie Rolling will present her touching and poignant interpretation and portrayal of the life of Lear Green, a former slave who escaped slavery and lived the last three years of her life as a free woman. The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services, the LGBTQ Center, AACRC, UC Women’s Center, Counseling Center, Department of Africana Studies, United Black Student Association, Student Government and the Black Arts Collaborative.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Noon-2 p.m., UC Blue Ash, Muntz Hall, Room 157 – The Color Line and the Legal Fiction of Race in the Life and Literacy of Charles W. Chesnutt, African-American Writer
This lecture will be presented by John E. Douglass, UC Blue Ash associate professor of history

CANCELLED EVENT: 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Great Hall, TUC – “I Know Where I’ve Been”

The Black Arts Collaborative presents this play about a grandmother who tells her grandson about the importance of the past, so that he can walk in the path of his ancestors. As she tells the story of the black people and their many accomplishments throughout history, the story comes alive on stage in song, dance, poetry and acting.

Diversity at UC

Archives & Rare Books Library Exhibit: African Americans in Ohio