By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – The third annual African Culture Festival kicks off Black History Month events Tuesday (Feb. 4) at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“I feel like a lot of people forget about Black History Month,” said Alma Torrez, a junior elementary education major and president of the Black Student Association. “It’s good for people to know when it is celebrated and participate in events that honor people who fought for civil rights.”
The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room.
The African Culture Festival, which is free and open to the public, features refreshments and African food such as rice and vegetable stew, fried plantains, ginger juice and puff puff, which are African doughnuts.
Members of the African Student Association will perform a modern dance, a traditional dance, a drum solo and two songs. Chipo Mpulamazaka, president of the African Student Association, will give an overview of current events in Africa and talk about her experience in the United States.
The festival is sponsored by the African Student Association, International Education, Recognized Student Organization Funds and Office of Multicultural Affairs, Division of Student Affairs.
Other events during Black History Month include a Feb. 20 performance by slam poet Brandon Thornton and two movie nights featuring “Django” on Feb. 12 and “The Rosa Parks Story” on Feb. 13.
Political Science Professor Claude Louishomme presents “The Importance of Black History Month” from 6 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Copeland Hall room 142. Black History Month closes with an Old School Night Dance on Feb. 27 in the Nebraskan Student Union.
“We really want to emphasize that everybody is welcome to come to these events,” said Torrez of Scottsbluff.
Black History Month events are sponsored by the Black Student Association and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Division of Student Affairs.
Black History Month Events
Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Trivia Booth on Black History Month, Nebraskan Student Union Atrium
Feb. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. – African Culture Festival, Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room
Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Trivia Booth on Black History Month, Nebraskan Student Union Atrium
Feb. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Movie Night, “DJango,” Ockinga Auditorium
Feb. 13, 6 to 8 p.m. – Movie Night, “The Rosa Parks Story,” Ockinga Auditorium
Feb. 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Slam poet Brandon Thornton, “A Poetic Black History Celebration,” Copeland Hall 142.
Feb. 24, 6 to 7 p.m. – Claude Louishomme, professor of political science, “The Importance of Black History Month,” Copeland Hall 142
Feb. 27, 7:30 to 10 p.m. – Old School Night Dance, Nebraskan Student Union Cedar Room
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Source: Alma Torrez, 308.672.6179
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
