Kent State University at Stark proudly presents various events to commemorate February as Black History Month. Each event takes place on the Stark Campus. All events are free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
 
The Black List
Volume I - Monday, Feb. 7, 12:30 – 2 p.m., Moderated by Dr. Verena Murphy
Volume II - Tuesday, Feb. 22, 12:30 – 2 p.m., Moderated by Dr. Brenda Smith
Each Black List event will take place in the Library Conference Room.

Photographer/filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and public radio host, journalist and former New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell produced video portraits of some of today’s most prominent African Americans from the areas of arts, sports, politics, business and government. The series provides insight on identity, diversity and race in America. Each video will be followed by a moderated discussion.


African-American Men in Post-Obama America  
Thursday, Feb. 10
5 – 7 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

This panel-led discussion with audience participation will focus on issues of inclusion and diversity relevant to young African-American males. Panel members include Sandy Womack, principal of Hartford Middle School; Tamiko Hatcher, principal of GlenOak High School’s Health Science Academy; William Casterlow, admissions advisor at Kent State Stark; Michael Brown, community program director at Canton’s YMCA Teen Center; Lester Sanders, creator of My Young Brotha National Outreach Initiative; Rahman Stokes, Stark State College F.A.M.E. program coordinator; and Damon Young, Stark State College Upward Bound math-science program curriculum coordinator.
 

African-American Women Pioneers in Sports
Wednesday, Feb. 16
12:30 - 2 p.m.
Library Conference Room

The presentation by Dr. Leslie Heaphy highlights African-American women who have made significant contributions and achievements in sports. The event is co-sponsored by Kent State Stark’s History Club.


EMPOWER² Week Movie Night, featuring The Blind Side
Tuesday, Feb. 22
7 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

This Oscar-nominated film tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. The film stars Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.
 

EMPOWER²’s Soup and Substance Series
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Noon
Main Hall Conference Room 1

Join a discussion group on the topic, “Sisters are doing it for themselves!” Enjoy a free cup of soup and empowering conversation about the many roles that women have in everyday life.
 

Electric Blues, featuring the Wallace Coleman Band
Thursday, Feb. 24
6 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

Wallace Coleman, a 10-year veteran of the Grammy Award-winning Robert Lockwood Jr. Band, started his own band in 1996. Four years later, he established his own record label, Pinto Blues Music. Since then, he has released five CDs, including Repossession Blues with UK bluesman Dave Thomas and his latest release, Blues In The Wind. Coleman has won a Living Blues Award for fan favorite, as well as garnered two nominations for outstanding harmonica. He has been named an Ohio Heritage Fellow. His performance embodies an American art form that has all but disappeared from the African-American music landscape and is certain to captivate blues lovers of all ages.                        
 

For more information on Kent State Stark’s Black History Month and EMPOWER² events, call 330-499-9600 or visit www.stark.kent.edu/about/diversity.