Current News
Celebrating Black History Month with a variety of events
January 23, 2007
For immediate release - January 23, 2007 Contact: Amy Sullivan (860) 439-2526; amy.sullivan@conncoll.edu Connecticut College celebrates Black History Month with a variety of events NEW LONDON, Conn. - Connecticut College is hosting a number of events, including several lectures, an art exhibit and a film series, in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month.
All of the following events are free and open to the public and will be held on the Connecticut College campus. Events include:
"Teaching, Learning, Action: Creating the Beloved Community," a performing arts commemoration on Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. in Evans Hall, Cummings Art Center. Students, staff, faculty and Connecticut College´s president, Lee Higdon, will perform readings, songs, dances and poetry.
Black History Month Convocation, a kickoff celebration, 4-6 p.m. on Feb. 1 in the Harkness Chapel. Speakers include Connecticut College alumni Tammie and Travis Reid and freshman Corey Twitty.
"Unity Art Exhibit" reception, 3 p.m. on Feb. 2 in Unity House. The exhibit features framed pieces of art, pictures, collages and poetry that embrace Black History Month.
James Downs, assistant professor of history, will give a lecture titled, "Limitations of Freedom: Emancipation and the American Civil War," about the often ignored aspects of black emancipation, Feb. 5 at 11:50 a.m. in Fanning Hall, room 315.
Showing of the political documentary "American Blackout," Feb. 7, 7 p.m. in the Pepsico Room, Unity House.
Showing of the film "Daughters of the Dust," (1991), Feb. 14, 7 p.m. in the Blaustein Humanities Center, room 210.
Jeff Dessources, author of "Do Not Hold Doors" (Grew Bap Books, 2006), will talk about his book, which uses poetry to investigate social, historical and cultural aspects of black lifestyle in America and abroad, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Unity House.
Showing of the documentary "Blank Panthers in CT," followed by a discussion, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. in the Blaustein Humanities Center, room 210.
A singing lecture with Darryl Smaw, dean of Swarthmore College, 4 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Harkness Chapel. Smaw will present a lecture on the roots and origins of music in the black church (spirituals, hymns, and gospel music); as well as perform some of the powerful and inspirational music that became part of the modern civil rights movement.
Showing of the film "In the Belly of the Beast" and a discussion with the film´s director, Roxana Canton-Walker, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Blaustein Humanities Center, room 210. Canton-Walker is also a visiting professor of film studies at Connecticut College.
RESCHEDULED: "The stories of our lives," presentation and discussion with Claudia Highbaugh, dean of religious and spiritual life, March 6 at 4 p.m. in the Haines Room of the Shain Library. The discussion will focus on teaching real history to children using contemporary children´s literature.
Ranked among the most selective private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Connecticut College enrolls 1,900 men and women from 43 states and 45 countries. The college is known for putting the liberal arts into action through interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. Founded in 1911, the college operates under an 85-year-old honor code. The college is located at 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, about two hours by car from Boston and New York. The 750-acre campus is an arboretum overlooking Long Island Sound. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu. -CC-
For more information contact: Amy Sullivan (860) 439-2526; amy.sullivan@conncoll.edu