UCSD Offers Diverse Programs to Celebrate
Black History Month On Campus Feb. 1-28

January 25, 2007

By Pat JaCoby

More than 25 programs will mark Black History Month at the University of California, San Diego Feb. 1-28 under the overarching theme From Slavery to Freedom: UCSD Celebrates the Journey and Stories of African Americans.

The annual campuswide tradition will start at noon Feb.1 in the Price Center Plaza with a “Kick-off Celebration” sponsored by the Black Student Union and Associated Students. “The event is planned as a celebration acknowledging the history of African American struggles and successes,” noted co-chairs and sisters Shemia and Sheme’re Jones. The program will include students portraying unsung Black history heroes, a talk by UCSD professor Pat Washington and musical numbers.

A community reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Faculty Club will culminate the month’s events, with nearly 100 students, staff, faculty and community friends expected to attend. Ashanti Houston-Hands, chair of UJIMA, said the program will include a slideshow recapping Black History Month (BHM) activities, entertainment and brief presentations by BHM participants.

Among highlights during the month is the fifth annual Black History Month Scholarship Brunch Feb. 24 in the Faculty Club featuring a talk by James Avery, a classically trained actor and scholar who received his B.A. degree in drama and literature from UCSD. The brunch also will honor Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Joseph Watson for his 40 years of service to UCSD, and include performances by local choirs, a soul food menu and silent auction. Proceeds will benefit undergraduate scholarships at UCSD. Renee Barnett-Terry is heading arrangements.

Dr. Watson also will be honored during the annual Black Student Reunion to be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in Eucalyptus Point by the Black Alumni Chapter and the UCSD Alumni Association. Culminating a busy Feb. 24, the nationally-famed Urban Bush Women, a Brooklyn-based dance group, will appear at 8 p.m. in Mandeville Auditorium under auspices of ArtPower!

More than 200 students from throughout Southern California are expected to attend the annual Black Student Union high school conference Feb. 10 for a day of interactive discussions, college prep workshops and character development.

Available throughout the month is a display Blazing a Trail: Profiles of Black Science Faculty at UCSD in the Science and Engineering Library. Also running through the month is a Friday series of films presented by the UCSD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center about the experience of LGBT African Americans.

Among other activities scheduled during the month are:

• An evening with Paul Robeson at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 during which local actor Mark Christopher Lawrence will define Robeson’s career as a college athlete, concert artist, actor and political activist.
• The Ugandan Orphans Choir, a touring group of ten 8 to 10-year-old Ugandans who will perform during an 11:30 a.m. luncheon Feb. 7 in the Plaza Café, Revelle College. Additionally, members of the San Diego Civic Dance Company will present a tap jazz performance.
• The 2006 Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Diversity Awards program at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 recognizing employees, faculty, staff, students, departments or organizational units that have made an outstanding contribution at UCSD in the past year.
• A discussion on “The Supreme Court: Friend or Foe of Black Americans?” sponsored by Student Legal Services at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 15. Moderated by Elyce Morris, attorney, the panel will feature local and visiting professors discussing the merits of the Supreme Court and jurisprudence relating to African Americans.
• A discussion on “African Americans in Research” on how research by African Americans in all academic disciplines, both science and non-science fields, has furthered Black culture and a way of life. The event at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 is sponsored by UCSD Academic Enrichment Programs.
• Performances by the UCSD Jazz Ensemble and a local poetry slam artist at 4 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Global Café at Warren College.
• A presentation on “The Importance of Water” by Retired Rear Admiral Evelyn J. Fields at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Price Center Ballroom sponsored by the Black Staff Association and Scripps’ Birch Aquarium. Terece Moret and James Burns are co-chairs.
• A discussion on challenging racism, “Building the Left in the Age of the Right,” by Eric Mann, director of the Labor/Community Strategy Center, member of the Bus Riders Union Planning Committee and environmental organizer, at 3 p.m. Feb. 22 in Robinson Auditorium.
• “The Black Cowboy: Real to Reel,” a tribute to the silent cowboy films and early cowboy talkie musical featuring an all Black cast at 4 p.m. Feb. 25 sponsored by Arts Libraries and African & African-American Studies Research Project in the Seuss Room, Geisel Library.
• “Let It Flow: A Soulful Night at Sixth,” an evening of music, soul food, spoken word, hip hop dance, art displays and art making sponsored by Sixth College at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in Sixth College Lodge.

 

Media contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404