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• IU's 2014 Black History Month theme is 'Let's Move! Freedom and Wellness in Civil Society'

IU's 2014 Black History Month theme is 'Let's Move! Freedom and Wellness in Civil Society'

• Feb. 3, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- This year's Black History Month Celebration at Indiana University Bloomington will feature more than 25 events in February, which are based on the theme, "Let's Move! Freedom and Wellness in Civil Society."

Most events are free and open to the public.

The IU Bloomington campus also is supporting the city of Bloomington's celebration, which kicks off today at 5:30 p.m. at Showers City Hall council chambers, 401 N. Morton St. Jimmie L. McMillian, a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Barnes & Thornburg and a graduate of IU and the IU McKinney School of Law, is the featured speaker. A reception will follow.

Stephanie Power-Carter, director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and associate professor in the IU School of Education, said this year's activities are designed to encourage the campus and community to be active, reflective and responsive to the center's programs.Wellness encompasses one's intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual being in addiiton to physical health, Power-Carter noted.

Major events for the month will include:

• The First Friday Family Dinner Fellowship at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave.
• A performance by the African American Choral Ensemble at noon on Feb. 12 in the atrium of the IU School of Education, 201 N. Rose Ave.
• "Wisdom Circles: For Women & Men," conversations with successful elders, faculty and community members, at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "Alpha Lounge" at 8 p.m. on Feb. 15 in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.
• The Miss Black and Gold event at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.
• A benefit for Bloomington's Banneker Center at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• The Black Knowledge Bowl at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• The 16th Annual African American Dance Company Workshop on Feb. 21 and 22 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Registration is required, and more information is available at www.indiana.edu/~aaai.
• The "Extensions of the Tradition Concert" from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the Auer Hall of the IU Jacobs School of Music, 200 S. Jordan Ave.
• "Gospel Explosion" at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Briscoe Quadrangle, 1225 N. Fee Lane.
• "Ice Cream Social: Social Justice Issues -- the New Jim Crow" at 7 p.m. and "Lyricist Lounge" at 8:30 p.m., both on Feb. 27 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

In connection with a national effort, Black History Month's activities began today with the 12th annual African American Read-In. Bloomington high school students shared their favorite poems and original works about the black experience.

In line with the month's theme, several events focus on physical health and wellness, including the Scholars Research Showcase at 5 p.m. on Friday; a discussion. "Fat Meat is Too Greasy: Health Disparities in the Black Community: Next Steps," at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20; and "Insanity Night Workout" at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. There also will be health screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 10. These events also will take place at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

Other Black History Month events will include:

• An "Over a Cup of Tea" talk by Jakobi Williams, IU associate professor of history, "Black and Yellow: Black Power and Asian American Leftist Activism," at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "My Black is Beautiful Campaign," at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• A screening of the film, "The Abolitionist," at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center library.
• "Grad School 101" at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "Cupid Shuffle AIDS Benefit Program" at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• The Atkins Living-Learning Center's movie night, beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• A benefit for an Ethiopian orphanage at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in Union Street Auditorium, 445 N. Union St.
• "Branding Yourself" at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "From Minnie to Clemente to Yasiel Puig: Afro-Latinos and the Enduring Problem of Race in America's Game" at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "Black Market Friday" at 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

To view a complete list of Black History Month events, sponsors and contact information, visit the website for the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs.

Related Links

• Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center