Central College will celebrate Black History Month through a series of educational and service programs on campus throughout February.
Black History Month will kick off with “Dr. King on Our Campus: Community, Controversy, and How History Is Made.” Beth McMahon, associate professor of library science, and Lori Witt, Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professorship of the Liberal Arts and associate professor of history, will lead this program, 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, Boat-Moore-Weller rooms, Maytag Student Center.
“Liberation & Love: Spoke Word Poetry” with Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey will be 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, Douwstra Auditorium. He will share his life, lessons and love through his captivating, powerful poetry. Having grown up in the Midwest and traveled the country performing his work, he will bring his experiences to the stage in a way that helps all understand how liberation and love belong in our lives.
The Traveling True Black History Museum will bring a unique experience to Central and Pella titled “A Tribute to the African-American Journey.” The exhibit will feature over 1,000 artifacts including original documents from historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, President Barack Obama and other influential African-American leaders. The museum is meant to preserve the history and educate others about African-American contributions to the world. The exhibit will be open to the Central community and public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, Boat-Moore-Weller rooms, Maytag Student Center.
The Civil Rights Transit Display will return to the Maytag atrium Feb. 12-16. The bus installation showcases inspirational civil rights stories such as Rosa Park’s historic protest.
The Zuzu African Acrobats will perform 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, in Douwstra Auditorium. Originating in Mombasa, Kenya, the Zuzu African Acrobats perform traditional acrobatics set to high-energy beats, all wrapped up in a cultural experience that is representative of the coastal regions of Kenya. The group has appeared on America’s Got Talent and performed at Superbowl LIII. The public is welcome to attend.
Martin Luther King Day activities at Central were canceled due to weather. Those programs have been scheduled throughout the semester. View the schedule.
Other activities for students include:
- Service projects that support community nonprofits.
- A Black History Month literature display in Geisler Library.
- Celebrating Black historical figures and accomplishments with a cup of coffee from the Global Café at Geisler, throughout the week of Feb. 5-9.
