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• Indiana University observes Black History Month with films, art, lectures and music

Indiana University observes Black History Month with films, art, lectures and music

• Feb. 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University is observing Black History Month in February with more than two dozen events, including art exhibits, lectures, panel discussions and musical performances. 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 at 6 p.m. today at Showers City Hall council chambers, 401 N. Morton St.

The theme for the city's celebration is "What Excellence Looks Like" and will examine African American excellence locally and nationally, past and present, with hopes of inspiring all members of the community to always strive for excellence. The kick-off program will feature book signings by local authors Janet Cheatham Bell and Audrey T. McCluskey and a keynote address by Arvis Dawson, executive assistant to the mayor of Elkhart, Ind.

In connection with a national effort, IU Black History Month's activities began Monday with the 13th annual African American Read-In. Bloomington high school students shared their favorite poems and original works about the black experience.

Friday is the First Friday Family Dinner Fellowship at 6 p.m. at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave.

Ensembles of the African American Arts Institute will perform throughout the month in the community. At noon Tuesday, the IU African American Dance Company will be at the Bloomington campus of Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way. At noon Feb. 18, the IU African American Choral Ensemble will perform in the atrium of the IU School of Education, 201 N. Rose Ave.

The IU Soul Revue will perform Monday at the Indiana Pacers game against San Antonio in Banker's Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Other Black History Month events include:

• Screenings of several films, including "To Kill a Mockingbird," at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 and "Compensation" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20, both at IU Cinema, 1213 E. Seventh St. Zeinabu Irene Davis, director of "Compensation," will be present at the screening.
• The 2014 critically acclaimed movie "Dear White People" will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in Whittenberger Auditorium of the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St. Eric Love, director of staff diversity and inclusion at the University of Notre Dame, will direct a discussion afterward. The Black Student Union is the event's host.
• Throughout February, an exhibit titled "State of an Art: Women's Wall Painting in Ghana" will be on display at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Ave. It highlights tradition and innovation in wall paintings by women in Ghana's Upper East Region, as documented by photographer and curator Brittany Sheldon.
• A lecture, "Pauulu's Diaspora: Black Power, Decolonization and Environmental Justice in Pacific Globalized World," at noon Feb. 12 in Room 218 of Woodburn Hall.
• "Black Love Lounge," at 8 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, sponsored by the NAACP.
• "Cupid Shuffle Speed Dating Event," at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, sponsored by the Women of Color Leadership Institute.
• "Social Media and Self-Hate," presented by the National Association of Black Journalists, at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Bridgwaters Lounge of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• The Black Knowledge Bowl at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• "Breathe Easy: We Got the Info on Your Health," hosted by the Black Student Union, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
• A musical performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 featuring jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Stephen Houghton in Auer Hall of the IU Jacobs School of Music, 200 S. Jordan Ave.

Related Links

• Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center
• Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs