A performance by a professional poetry and drama group, visits to local African-American churches, an African American author Read-In and a Soul Food Banquet are among the ways that Black History Month is being commemorated during February on campus.
Near-daily events and activities, both on and off campus, have been scheduled through the efforts of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, a division of Tusculum’s Office of Student Affairs.
New to the program this year is a campus African American Literature Read-In, sponsored by Dr. Taimi Olsen, professor of English at the College. The event was held all day in the Niswonger Commons Living Room on February 3, and students and faculty read selected titles throughout the day. The event, part of the national African American Read In sponsored by the National Council for Teachers of English, garnered media attention as a news crew from a regional television station covered the event.
Students are also encouraged to read works by African American authors during the Monday Memoir Series, that includes “The Color of Water” by James McBride and “Open Wide the Freedom Gates” by Dorothy Hight. The series is sponsored by the Tusculum College African American Book Club.
Students had the opportunity to test their knowledge of African-American history facts at the Black History Bowl on the evening of February 3.
Other events scheduled throughout the month include a performance by the Black Sunshine Poets, who will perform on February 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Perk in the Niswonger Commons. The professional poetry troupe uses their lyrical skills, creativity and talent to perform original pieces that are both thought provoking and entertaining as they display the originality of African-American literature.
According to Student Life Coordinator Bonnie Taylor, during Sundays in February, Tusculum College students will also be invited to take a closer “Look at the History of the Black Church.” On February 8, students visited Tabernacle Presbyterian Church; they are to visit Tate Memorial Chapel on February 15 and Friendship Baptist Church on February 22.
For a celebration of the culinary aspect of Black History Month, the College will sponsor a Soul Food Banquet in the dining hall on February 17 from 5 – 7 p.m. On February 24, “Dessert and Discussion: Women’s Panel” will be held. At this event, students are able to interact with professional minority women from the Northeast Tennessee area. Topics will include networking, making and utilizing contacts and other professional preparation information and advice. The event will be held in the Hurley Room in Niswonger Commons at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, February 21, the College will sponsor a “Service on Saturday” event in conjunction with the Bonner Leaders Program. “Students are going to be working with elementary school children in the area teaching the basics of basketball and interacting as mentors,” Taylor said. Participants should meet in the Pioneer Gym at 2 p.m.
Tusculum College students and the community are also encouraged to visit the special Black History exhibit in the Living Room of the Niswonger Commons. The “mini-museum” features information about African-Americans who have made significant contributions in the history of the nation as well as its cultural, sport and political life.
The Multicultural Affairs Office also offered students the opportunity to participate in the fourth annual Black Issues Conference at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Taylor said the conference will focus on issues in African American community and personal development workshops. “This is an annual event that we find offers a wide variety of options and provides sessions that touch on many issues within the minority community,” said Taylor.
On campus, there will be Thursday Film Series, beginning on February 12, with the featured film “Voices of the Civil Rights.” On February 19, the film will be “Fisk Jubilee Singers,” and on February 26 the featured film will be “Marcus Garvey.”
Josh Kibert reads a work during the African American Literature Read In on February 3.