Five February Events Spotlight Black History Month

African American History is American History. And Black History Month is an important time to spotlight the accomplishments, culture, and achievements of African Americans. Here are five great ways you and yours can celebrate! Plus, check out the links at the end of these highlights for even more events in the area.


1.)ย Hand-Lettered Quotes event

Feb. 7
6:30 p.m.
Downtown Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor.

Quotes as an educational tool may help us appreciate and learn from wisdom. For example:

โ€œBlack history isnโ€™t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that.โ€โ€”Karyn Parsons, writer and actor

And:

โ€œReturning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.โ€โ€”Martin Luther King, Jr

According to AADL, during the event, participants can practice hand-lettering skills and letter a quote for Black History Month. To find a quote, participants can do research online or select one from Ann Arbor District Library’s selection.

At the event, participants can expect to learn a few new styles of hand-lettering. AADLโ€™s art supplies of brush pencils, colored pencils, paper, and more will be available to create a one-of-a-kind piece.

2.)ย A Conversation with Nikki Giovanni

Feb. 8
5-7:30 p.m.
Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor.

Grammy-nominated and award-winning poet, filmmaker, and professor, Nikki Giovanni, will be having lively moderated conversation with the community during Black History Month.

The conversation will be moderated by the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies faculty, Dr. Saraellen Strongman, Michigan Medicine Special Programs Manager and DEI Practitioner, Blaire Tinker, M.Ed., and Kayla Tate, University of Michigan Senior and Black Student Union Speaker.

3.) Exploration of African-American Cuisine

Feb. 17
11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) Building, 500 South State St, Multipurpose Room, LSA 1040, Ann Arborย 

To celebrate Black History Month, the Black Student Union at the University of Michigan and the Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs office are hosting an entire month of Black History Events.

The Organizational Studies Program at the University of Michigan (OS) joins them in the celebration by hosting โ€œExploration of African American Cuisine.โ€ The event will invite people to taste vivacious African American cuisines and learn more about the origins and history of the foods and regions.

The event is free at the University of Michigan LSA Building.

4.) The Great Migration: Reflections of the Past in Anticipation of the Future

Feb. 18
1-2:30 pm
West Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor.

According to AADL, attendees will view highlights of the Intergenerational Dialogue on the Great Migration. During a series of recorded interviews, these individuals told their stories to local youth. Reversing the roles, this time the older adults will interview the youth members to see what they learned from the exercise.

5. A Conversation on Race, Policing, and Social Justice: Where Do We Go From Here

Feb. 15
5 p.m.
The EMU Student Center, Ballroom B. 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti.

The Civil Rights and Social Justice Center presents a discussion with Eastern Michigan University alumni Margues Banks. Banks worked as a lawyer with the Advancement Project in Washington D.C. He also volunteers for the organization Laws 4 Black Lives D.C. T

he featured panel discussion also includes Natalie Holbrook from the Michigan Criminal Justice Program; Dr. Aaron Rollins Junior with the Peace, Justice, and Conflict Transformation Program at the University of Louisville; Eleanore Ablan-Owens with the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice; and Rai Lnier with Michigan Liberation.

For more events affiliated with the University of Michigan please go to the website for Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs at the University of Michigan on Black History Month.

Black History Month at the AADL:ย https://aadl.org/blackhistorymonth

Black History Month at Eastern Michigan University:ย Black History Month

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