FAU to Host Events in Honor of Black/African American History Month

FAU student

(Photo by Alex Dolce)

By brittany sylvestri | 1/31/2020

Florida Atlantic University will celebrate Black/African American History Month with a series of events throughout the month of February at its Boca Raton, Jupiter and Broward campuses. Events are free and open to students, faculty and staff, unless otherwise noted.

The following events will be held on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road:

Standing on the Precipice of Change: African Americans and the Civil War
Monday, Feb. 3 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Lifelong Learning Center, Friedberg Auditorium

This course examines the Civil War as a watershed for an American society standing on the precipice of change that would slowly transform society into a multi-cultural and complex world. While freedom was the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation, this impactful course will assist participants in understanding the long road to true citizenship and the ongoing struggle.

”Celebrating Black Blues Artists”
Monday, Feb. 3 to Friday, Feb. 28
S.E. Wimberly Library Lobby

“Celebrating Black Blues Artists” highlights 14 African American musicians and their contributions to American music.

Mental Health in the Black Community
Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.
FAU Library, Fifth Floor

“Mental Health in the Black Community” is a panel discussion with an accompanying PowerPoint presentation focusing on mental health stigmas and effects within the black community. The discussion also centers on the resources and methodologies to seek help. The panel will consist of faculty, staff and student leaders.

Free HIV Testing
Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon
Student Health Services, SS-8W Room 240

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, free HIV testing will be available for FAU students.

Lessons from the Exonerated Five: A Conversation with Yusef Salaam
Friday, Feb. 7 from noon to 1 p.m.
Student Union, Majestic Palm Room

“Exonerated Five” member Yusef Salaam will share his powerful story of wrongful conviction and eventual acquittal.

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
Studio Two Theatre, AL-9 Room 102

Alpha Psi Omega National Honor Society is presenting "For colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf," a choreopoem by Ntozake Shange, directed by Indya Jackson and Claudy Nonome. Purchase tickets at fauevents.com.

Tiny Desk Poetry Slam
Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Student Union, Live Oak Pavilion

This poetry slam will encompass spoken word that will incorporate the experiences of “African Americans and the Vote” through articulate expression.

Real Talk: To Vote or Not to Vote?
Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
General Classroom South, Room 120

During this “Real Talk,” participants will examine the troublesome past of African Americans to earn the right to vote and take a deep dive into the critically debated question of should African Americans continue to vote.

Music and Mocktails: Celebrating Black Blues Artists
Thursday, Feb. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m.
S.E. Wimberly Library

This event features Carol Hixson, dean of the FAU Libraries, and the libraries' recorded sound archive. Specialty drinks will be served as the RSA staff plays music from its vinyl record collection.

Loud and Proud
Thursday, Feb. 13 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion

“One Mic” invites faculty, staff and students to show case their artistic talents through their own unique artistic expression.

LGBTQ Identities and the Black Community
Thursday, Feb. 20 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

FAU students, faculty and staff are invited to share in this experiential learning discussion that will explore what it means to be black, proud, and hold space with the LGBTQ community.

Mobile Black History Museum
Friday, Feb. 21 from noon to 7 p.m.
Student Union, Lobby

During this day-long mobile museum, FAU students, faculty, and staff will be able view Black History artifacts from the 1800s to present day.

Theatrical Reading of Malcolm X’s the Ballot or the Bullet
Friday, Feb. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.
College of Business, Room 120

In his iconic speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” African American civil rights leader Malcolm X spoke of the historic and then current impediments in place to keep black people from voting. Attendees of this event will have the opportunity to hear FAU theater students conduct dramatic monologue readings of this empowering speech delivered on April 3, 1964. Participants will then engage in an open critical dialogue and discussion centered on the speech’s content and its impact and relevancy for African Americans today.

Sixth Annual Blazers & The Arts
Friday, Feb. 21 from 8 to 11 p.m.
Student Union, Live Oak Pavilion

“Blazers & The Arts” is an electric art exhibition that will feature local artists of all aspects. This event brings together a variety of students from the FAU community to display and enjoy each other’s talents and artwork.

Anawasi: Uplifting the Voices, Lives, and Legacies of Black Women
Saturday, Feb. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
College of Education, Room 119

The Department of Curriculum, Culture and Educational Inquiry, FAU’s College of Education, in collaboration with Palm Beach County School District – Office of African, African American, Latino and Gender Studies will host, “Anawasi: Uplifting the Voices, Lives, and Legacies of Black Women.” The event will feature a keynote, presentations, breakout sessions, and Q&A designed to bring together those interested in the educational experiences and outcomes for students to engage in critical work that highlights voices, lives, and legacies of black women. To register, visit https:/tinyurl.com/qkjetu4.

African American Women and the 19th Amendment
Wednesday, Feb. 26 from noon to 2 p.m.
Student Union, Palmetto Palm

African American women, though often overlooked in the history of woman suffrage, engaged in significant reform efforts and political activism leading to and following the ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment, which barred states from denying American women the right to vote on the basis of their sex. This event will be formatted as a Reflection Circle where attendees will participate in critical facilitated discourse and reflection time concerning the historical and current narrative of woman suffrage.

Black History Month Storytelling Slam
Thursday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Living Room Theater Café, Culture & Society Building

Come celebrate through the art form of spoken word. All FAU students, faculty and staff are welcome to share or listen.

Toni Morrison: Transnational Perspectives
Friday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FAU Student Union, Majestic Palm Room

This mini symposium will explore the rich and robust work of beloved Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, editor and professor, Toni Morrison. There will be a keynote speaker and panel guests from institutions of higher learning across the United States.

Bodega Central: Afro-Latinxs and Colorism
Friday, Feb. 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Indian River Towers, Multipurpose Room

Bodega Central is a discussion platform uniting the voices and experiences of FAU’s Hispanic/Latinx faculty, staff, and students. Event topics include issues that affect the Hispanic/Latinx community, such as identity formation, immigration, cultural complexities, financial literacy, and social justice.

The following events will be held on FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus, 5353 Parkside Drive, in Jupiter:

Free HIV Testing
Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon
Student Health Services, SR 106

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, free HIV testing will be available for FAU students.

Art Workshop Inspired by Alma Thomas and Aaron Douglas
Thursday, Feb. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Burrow

Join campus life to learn about the work of African American painters, Alma Thomas and Aaron Douglas, while creating your own masterpiece.

Coffeehouse with Spoken Word Artist, Angelo “Eye-Am-Bic” Geter
Thursday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Burrow

Angelo “Eye-Am-Bic” Geter is a multi-faceted spoken word artist, educator and speaker who blends his pieces with commentary and personal narratives that transcend a traditional performance. He is a member of renown slam poetry team SlamCharlotte and has been featured on Russell Simmons’ All Def Poetry. Angelo’s work touches on a variety of issues including social justice, character and acceptance.

The following events will be held on FAU’s Davie campus, 3200 College Ave.:

Take the Lead Series - Minorities Mastering Leadership
Monday, Feb. 3 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Liberal Arts Building, Room 124

Hear from panelists as they discuss marginalized groups taking charge and leading with integrity.

Free HIV Testing
Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon
Student Union, Room 206

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, free HIV testing will be available for FAU students.

Student Union Engagement Presents: Yusef Salaam
Thursday, Feb. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Liberal Arts Building, Room 120

“Exonerated Five” member Yusef Salaam will share his powerful story of wrongful conviction and eventual acquittal.

Off the Page with Dr. Angela Rhone
Monday, Feb. 10 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Student Union, Oasis Lounge

Voice your views as FAU explores the literary masterpieces of Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston in honor of Black History Month.

SUES: Minority Business Expo
Tuesday, Feb. 11 from noon to 2 p.m.
Oasis Lounge and Heritage Hall, Room 105

Support aspiring and thriving minority entrepreneurs and business owners in celebration of Black History Month.

Cultured: The Beauty of Black Heritage
Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Heritage Hall, Room 105

Celebrate the beauty, culture, and heritage of multiple communities, including individuals from the Caribbean, Africa, South America, and Asia, as shared by South Florida community leaders through their successes and call for ally-ship as an important issue of diversity and inclusion to cross-cultural advocacy for these communities.

Textures of the Culture
Tuesday, Feb. 18 from noon to 2 p.m.
Heritage Hall, Room 105

Learn about your beautifully textured hair while meeting with different hair care vendors who will be on campus.

Off the Page with Dr. Angela Rhone
Monday, Feb. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Student Union, Oasis Lounge

Voice your views as FAU explores the literary masterpieces of Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston in honor of Black History Month.

The following event will be held at FAU’s SeaTech campus, 101 N. Beach Road in Dania Beach:

Buzz in with Black History Jeopardy
Monday, Feb. 19 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Poolside

Participate in the classic game of “Jeopardy” with a unique twist that will highlight important African American figures and promote cultural appreciation.

-FAU-