Black History Month programs at Elon

A lineup of events in February will honor African-American contributions to the campus and the world as Elon University celebrates Black History Month.

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​The Elon University community celebrates Black History Month in February with film screenings, discussions, performances, social events and more.

This year's theme of "In Living Color," seeks to celebrate the various ways we are all actively shaping and contributing to notions of blackness in the present, while being mindful of and honoring the historic events and figures of the past that impact us all. In Living Color

This year, there are three broader categories to organize events:

LEARN: Programs in the learn pathway should be informational or instructional in nature and may take the form of keynote speakers, invited lectures from faculty/staff within Elon (or beyond), center undergraduate and faculty research or screenings of movies with panel styled Q&A, etc.

ENGAGE: Programs in the engage pathway should allow participants to engage with others to explore a civic or community-based phenomenon that is more directly tied to one or more dimensions of the Pan- African Experience. This can include the implementation and/or participation in a variety of service-learning-esque events with partners in the community, deliberative dialogue and other expositions of the Black Experience.

EXPRESS: Programs in the express pathway seek to highlight various, multidimensional dimensions of the lived black Experience. This may include creative, musical, dance and theatrical performances, oratorical contests, and panels of Elon students, faculty and staff.

Organized by the university's Black History Month Planning Committee and coordinated by The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, these events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

February 4

2019 Black History Month Kick-Off  
Moseley Student Center Room 215, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Join the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education as we kick off the 2019 celebration of Black History Month with a pop-up museum of Elon University’s Black History sponsored by the Carol Grotnes Belk Library! Light refreshments will be served. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ and ‘Engage’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events  

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education and the Carol Grotnes Belk Library

February 5 

Black History Month Dinner   
Lakeside Hall 212, 6 p.m.

The East and Oaks February Neighborhood Dinner will be a casual, low-stakes opportunity for students to engage in discussions with neighbors, faculty, staff, and special guests. All of the questions will center public service and community engagement. Black and African American community leaders will be present at dinner to discuss local issues, and share their perspectives and journeys, while shedding light on a bit of Alamance history. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ and ‘Engage’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events  

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, East Neighborhood and Oak Neighborhood with the Office of Housing and Residence Life

February 8

"CREED II" Screening 
Turner Theater, 8 p.m.

In 1985, Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former U.S. champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world. Against the wishes of trainer Rocky Balboa, Apollo's son Adonis Johnson accepts a challenge from Drago's son — another dangerous fighter. Under guidance from Rocky, Adonis trains for the showdown of his life — a date with destiny that soon becomes his obsession. Now, Johnson and Balboa must confront their shared legacy as the past comes back to haunt each man. This program aligns with the ‘Express’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events
 
Sponsored by Office of Student Involvement

February 9

"CREED II" Screening
Station at Mill Point, Clubhouse, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In 1985, Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former U.S. champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world. Against the wishes of trainer Rocky Balboa, Apollo's son Adonis Johnson accepts a challenge from Drago's son — another dangerous fighter. Under guidance from Rocky, Adonis trains for the showdown of his life — a date with destiny that soon becomes his obsession. Now, Johnson and Balboa must confront their shared legacy as the past comes back to haunt each manThis program aligns with the ‘Express’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events  

Sponsored by Office of Student Involvement

February 13

Am I Cuban American or American Cuban? An Autobiographical Solo on the Evolution of Afro-Cuban Dance
El Centro de Español – Carlton 114, 5 p.m.

Join us for an undergraduate research presentation regarding the study of Afro-Cuban culture and its dance forms. This presentation chronicles the evolution and transition of Cuban Culture through dance, pre-revolution to present. Please contact Diana Prieto Viñas (dprietovinas@elon.edu) for more information and to RSVP. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ and ‘Engage’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events  

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education and El Centro de Español

February 14 

Once on This Island (A musical play by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty) 
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts Building, 7:30 p.m.

Orphaned by a hurricane, the hapless Ti Moune has been raised by a kind pair of elderly peasants. When she comes of age, she falls in love with a young man from the privileged class, and the island’s gods disagree about whether or not she can ever achieve her heart’s desire. From the creators of Ragtime comes this charming tale, which examines the limits of love’s power in this Caribbean paradise.
This program aligns with the ‘Express’ in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events. Performance is appropriate for children.

Sponsored by Elon University Department of Performing Arts

February 17

Once on This Island (A musical play by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty) 
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts Building, 2 p.m.

Orphaned by a hurricane, the hapless Ti Moune has been raised by a kind pair of elderly peasants. When she comes of age, she falls in love with a young man from the privileged class, and the island’s gods disagree about whether or not she can ever achieve her heart’s desire. From the creators of Ragtime comes this charming tale, which examines the limits of love’s power in this Caribbean paradise. This program aligns with the ‘Express’ in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events. Performance is appropriate for children.

Sponsored by Elon University Department of Performing Arts

February 17

Evolution of Soul
Oaks Club Room, Oaks Residential Neighborhood, 12:30 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of learning, painting and creative expression as we chronicle the evolution of jazz, blues and funk in America. Interested persons can RSVP here. Space limited to the first 15 participants. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’, ‘Engage’ and ‘Express’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.

Sponsored by the Department of Music

February 18

More Than Just a Step Show- Black Greek Lettered Organizations 
Moseley Student Center Room 215, 6 p.m.

The Divine Nine. You have heard the rumors and stereotypes, but now it is time to come learn the truth about Black Greek Lettered Organizations. From their founding, these organizations filled a special role in the Black collegiate experience giving students a much-needed support system that turned into a lifelong commitment. This presentation will dive deeper into the history behind the NPHC, and allow you to truly understand why these organizations were founded and the ever present need for them on college campuses today. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ pathway in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education and the Office of Student Involvement

February 19

Black History Month Trivia Night with Historic and East Neighborhood 
The Oak House, 8 p.m.

Join us for a rousing night of trivia centering the Black History of Elon University and the United States. Gift card prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ pathway in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.  

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, East Neighborhood and Historic Neighborhood with the Office of Housing and Residence Life

February 21 

2019 Black Business EXPOSEition 
Snow Atrium, Schar Hall, 3 p.m.

Join us for the first Black Business EXPOSEition at Elon University! This event centers entrepreneurship within Black communities with an emphasis on the entrepreneurial efforts of our Black Students and Alumni at Elon University, as well as professionals in our communities. Hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments will be served. Contact Rachael Rysz (rrysz@elon.edu) or Michael Spencer (mspencer7@elon.edu) for more information. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’, ‘Engage’ and ‘Express’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.

Sponsored by The Elon University, Black Student Union, The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Student Professional Development Center

February 26

Black History Month College Coffee 
Phi Beta Kappa Commons, 12:30 p.m.

We welcome Elon students, faculty, staff and community to learn more about the Black History of Elon University. Contact Brandon Bell at bbell5@elon.edu for more information.
This program aligns with the ‘Learn and ‘Engage’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.  Elon faculty, staff and students

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education and Academic and Residential Partnerships for Dining Engagement

February 26

SAGA
McCrary Theater, 7:30 p.m.

As we observe, remember and celebrate Black History Month, SAGA embraces the long historic story of heroic achievement of the African and African Diaspora through performance. This program aligns with the ‘Express’ pathway in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.  

Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts

February 27

Afro-Latino Cooking Class 
El Centro de Español – Carlton 114, 6 p.m.

For Black History Month, El Centro de Español we will be having an Afro-Latinx cooking class that highlights the intersection of black and Latinx identity. We will be making pastelillos and two types of platain (platanos and maduros) that everyone will take part in. Please know this class will include frying so closed toe shoes and long sleeves are recommended. Please contact Diana Prieto Viñas (dprietovinas@elon.edu) for more information and to RSVP. This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ and ‘Engage’ pathways in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.  

Sponsored by The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education and El Centro de Español

February 28 

Loretta Lynch Lecture 
Elon School of Law Library, 6:30 p.m.

Lynch was the 83rd Attorney General of the United States from 2015 to 2017, the first African- American woman to serve in the role. A distinguished former federal prosecutor, she was appointed Attorney General by President Barack Obama after twice previously serving as the head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Described by Obama as “the only lawyer in America who battles mobsters, drug lords and terrorists, and still has the reputation for being a charming ‘people person,’” Lynch has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the nation on a number of tough issues.
Tickets are available Feb. 7 at the Performing Arts Box Office. Call (336) 278-5610 for more information This program aligns with the ‘Learn’ pathway in the 2019 Black History Month Calendar of Events.

Sponsored by the Elon University School of Law

  

2019 Black History Month Planning Committee Member
 Brandon Bell, Chair – Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
 Jason Aryeh – Department of Performing Arts
 Loren Brunson – Student Ambassador, Student Professional Development Center
 Barb Carlton – Moseley Student Center
 Chrystal Carpenter – Carol Grotnes Library
 Amy Chilcutt – Academic-Residential Partnerships for Dining Engagement
 Libby Coyner – Carol Grotnes Library
 Stacie Dooley – Elon School of Law
 Jennifer Gilbert Mencarini – Elon School of Law
 Emily Gomez, Student Coordinator – Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
 Derrick Luster, Student Coordinator – Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
 Alyssa Martina – The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
 Mariatu Okonofua, Student Coordinator – Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
 Cora Palfy – Department of Music
 Diana Prieto-Viñas – El Centro de Español – The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
 Jarrod Rudd – The Office of Student Involvement
 Rachael Rysz – Career Services
 Michael Spencer – The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
 Trianne Smith – Housing and Residence Life, Oaks Neighborhood
 Simone Thompson – Housing and Residence Life, Historic Neighborhood
 Porta Wade – Elon University School of Education
 Sylvia Wade – Housing and Residence Life, East Neighborhood
 Kirby Wahl – Department of Performing Arts