Clarion University’s minority student groups are offering several events for Black History Month, and all are open to students and the community.
This year's celebration began with visiting professor Cornel West who gave a presentation entitled “Inside Politics” on Feb. 4 in the Marwick-Boyd auditorium. The talk was well received, with over 400 people in attendance.
Grove City College professor Todd Allen visited Clarion on Feb. 8 to lead a discussion as part of the Black Lives Matter series. His talk, “Eyes Forward, Looking Back: Remembering the Civil Rights Movement,” was held at 7 p.m. in Hart Chapel.
Upcoming events during the month include:
- The Black Student Union is hosting Lip Sync Battle: Motown Theme at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in Hart Chapel. Motown, a record company founded in 1959, played an important role in integrating the American music field. In the 1960s, Motown and subsidiary labels were successful in promoting Motown Sound, a genre of soul music influenced by pop. Notable artists in the field are Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations.
- Feb. 11 will feature “Redefining the Man” hosted by Women United. It will take place in Gemmell 152 at 6 p.m.
- National African American Read-In Day will be celebrated Feb. 18 with poet Kirwyn Sutherland, Jr. He will begin his performance at 1 p.m. in Carlson Library Level A.
- The King of Queens Pageant sponsored by Black Student Union will be open to the public at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in Hart.
- A showcase of author and NAACP founder W.E.B. DuBois will be presented at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 in Hart. Hosts are Clarion’s chapter of NAACP.
All events are free for students and the community. Please contact director of Minority Student Services, Rogers Laugand, at laugand@clarion.edu with questions.