Rutgers students, faculty and staff will celebrate Black History Month 2014 with a wide range of cultural and educational activities. This year’s observance features guest speakers, performances, film screenings and a conference on the modern civil rights movement.
The following is a listing of selected public events across the university’s campuses.
February 10
6 p.m. – Writer Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond reads from and discusses her debut novel, Powder Necklace, which is based on her experiences while attending secondary school in Ghana. Dana Room, John Cotton Dana Library, Newark Campus. Contact: Christina Strasburger, 973 -353-3902
February 11
6 p.m. – Watch a free screening of "Dark Girls," the critically acclaimed documentary on biases and attitudes regarding skin color. Conference Room West B, Campus Center, Camden Campus. Contact: Erica Schwartz, 856-225-6203
February 12
12 noon – Meet culinary historian and cookbook author Jessica Harris as she discusses the food and foodways of the African diaspora and her book, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America. Meeting Room C, Douglass Student Center, Douglass Campus. Contact: Cheryl Wilson, 848-932-4087
February 14
6:00 p.m. – Join a panel of male educators for an interactive dinner and discussion about ways to change the narrative for young men of color. Pre-registration is required. The Cove, Busch Campus Center, Busch Campus. Contact: Sean Healey, sean.healey@teachforamerica.org
February 15
9:30 a.m. – The 2014 Marion Thompson Wright Lecture Series, "Tending the Light: Community Organizing and the Modern Civil Rights Movement," is a free daylong conference to explore grassroots efforts during the 1960s. Paul Robeson Campus Center, Newark Campus. Contact: Marisa Pierson, 973-353-3896
February 17
11:30 a.m. – Junius Williams, director of Rutgers' Abbott Leadership Institute, discusses his book, Unfinished Agenda: Urban Politics in the Era of Black Power, which chronicles his journey from the segregated South through his career as an attorney and community activist in Newark. Baker Trial Courtroom, Rutgers School of Law, Newark Campus. Contact: Janet Donohue, (973) 353-5553
February 19
12 noon – Enjoy a free performance by renowed pianist Richard Alston. Mallery Room, Fine Arts Building, Camden Campus. Contact: Department of Fine Arts, 856-225-6176
February 21
6:30 p.m. – Rutgers' chapter of the NAACP will celebrate the organization's 105-year history during its annual banquet. Tickets are $5 for students; $10 for guests. Rutgers Student Center, College Avenue Campus. Contact: scarletnaacp@gmail.com
February 22
7 p.m. – Hear good old-fashioned gospel music performed by local choirs and musicians during Rutgers' free annual gospel concert. Voorhees Chapel, Douglass Campus. Contact: Angus Gillespie, 848-932-1630
February 24
11:30 a.m. – Meet Wil Haygood, author of the bestselling book The Butler: A Witness to History and associate producer of the award-winning film, "Lee Daniels' The Butler." Both works are portraits of Eugene Allen’s journey from a southern plantation to his service at The White House. Essex Room, Paul Robeson Campus Center, Newark Campus. Contact: Charnette Hockaday, 973-353-5300
1:20 p.m. – Filmmaker and alumnus Brian Scott offers a screening and discussion of the documentary "Tackling Jim Crow," which explores racism in professional football. Law School, Camden Campus, Room 106. Presented by the Department of History, Camden Campus. Contact: Wayne Glasker, glasker@camden.rutgers.edu
February 27-28
6 p.m. Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Feb. 28 – Filmed nearly 50 years ago, Shirley Clark's Portrait of Jason, featuring cabaret performer Jason Holliday, is a potent reminder of what the world was like for black gay men in the heat of the Civil Rights movement and on the cusp of the Stonewall Uprising. Ruth Adams Building and Voorhees Hall, New Brunswick Campus. Tickets are free for students, $8 and $10 for guests. Contact: www.njfilmfest.com or call the New Jersey Film Festival, 848-932-8482.