Black History Month Events at Hamline

Hamline University will celebrate Black History Month with a series of public events. The theme of the celebration is: “Expressions of Blackness, The Power of Our Words.” All events take place on Hamline University’s Saint Paul campus, located at 1536 Hewitt Ave, and, unless specified, are free and open to the public. For more information about these events, please call the Center for Multicultural and International Student Affairs at 651-523-2423. 

February 4        Prophets of Protest
This event will examine black leaders who excelled in using language, rhetoric and debate to influence and support the black community. The guest speaker for this event is Dr. Rosilyn M. Carroll, the academic director for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline University. Carroll is an educational consultant and has taught various graduate and undergraduate courses at universities throughout the United States. Giddens Learning Center 100E; 7:00 PM 

February 7        This is My Story: African-American Women
Bring your lunch to this brown-bag discussion and listen to African-American women will share their thoughts and experiences on issues of identity, race, justice, and important issues facing black communities.  Giddens Learning Center 100E; 11:30 AM 

February 14        Saakumu West African Dance Troupe
Experience Africa through a performance and workshop of dance and drumming. Saakumu Dance Troupe is one of the leading dance and music groups in Ghana. Led by master musician, Bernard Woma, the group's repertoire ranges from traditional to contemporary. Bush Student Center Ballroom; 4:00 PM

February 16      Cultural Night, Tribute to Legend of Past and Present
Come and experience musical, poetic, theatrical performances that honor some of the cultural icons from years gone by. There will be tributes to Gordon Parks, Muhammad Ali Michael Jackson, Ida B. Wells, Lena Horne, and others. Performers include Trena Bolden Fields, Yolanda  Williams, and others, along with Hamline students and staff.  Sundin Music Hall; 7:00 PM

February 19      An In-depth Look at the Press Coverage Of Barack Obama
Keynote Address by Catherine R. Squires
Catherine Squires is the inaugural John and Elizabeth Bates Cowles Professor of Journalism, Diversity, and Equality at the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on the interactions between racial groups, mass media, and the public sphere. Squires' first book, Dispatches from the Color Line, analyzes news coverage of controversies surrounding people of multiracial descent. She also has published work on African-American-owned media, African-American identity, and the public sphere in Communication Theory  and the Harvard International Journal of Press and Politics. Her work has been included in the books Counter publics and the State (SUNY, 2001), Say It Loud! African-American Audiences, Media and Identity (Routledge, 2002), and reprinted in The Black Studies Reader (Routledge, 2004) and African-American Communication and Identities: Essential Readings (Sage, 2004). Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room; 6:00 PM  

February 20      Black Jeopardy IIX
Faculty, staff, and students participate in a lively, competitive test of their knowledge of black history and culture.  Bush Student Center Lobby; 6:30 PM 

February 21     The Words of Spike Lee
Join us for a panel of faculty members reflecting on the social and cultural implications of the films Bamboozled, Do the Right Thing, Get on the Bus, Jungle Fever, and School Daze, followed by an open discussion. Giddens Learning Center 100E; 6pm

February 24      18th Annual Gospel Night: “The Words of My Mouth” 
Celebrate the legacy of gospel music in the black community at this inspirational worship service. The Hamline University Gospel Choir, choirs from Shiloh International Ministries, Temple Apostolic Church, First Trinity Church of God In Christ, and other musical groups will perform.  Sundin Music Hall; 6:00 PM