Highlights of the monthlong festivities include lectures by M. William Howard Jr., chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors, and Prince Cedza Dlamini, humanitarian, founder of Ubuntu Institute for Young Social Entrepreneurs and grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Howard will discuss his experience as president of the American Committee on Africa. Prince Dlamini, also a spokesperson for the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals initiative, will speak about the importance of young people’s involvement in making political change.
See program highlights below or view the entire black history calendar of events at prcc.rutgers.edu.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Lecture by Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Jr.Winants Hall, Assembly Room, College Avenue Campus, 4:30 p.m.
The Center for African Studies presents Rev. Howard, chair of Rutgers Board of Governors, who will speak about his term as president of the American Committee on Africa. Registration is required for attendance. Contact rdelance@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-445-6638 for details. This event is open to the Rutgers community only.
Work It! Learn How to Work the Room at the Upcoming Diversity Career DayBusch Campus Center, Multipurpose Room, 8 p.m.
Rutgers students will learn the art of distinguishing themselves and interacting with employers to stand out among the masses. The fun and interactive workshop will help Rutgers students prepare for the upcoming New Jersey Diversity Career Day. The Feb. 15 event is open to Rutgers students. The career day is open to the general public.
Black Women in the WorkplaceDouglass Campus Center, Meeting Room B, Douglass Campus, 6 p.m.
The Douglass Black Students' Congress (DBSC) and Office of Career Services will give students practical tips on how to survive and succeed in today's competitive workplace. Free refreshment will be provided. Contact eabutler@eden.rutgers.edu for details.
Lecture with Prince Cedza Dlamini from South AfricaMultipurpose Room, Busch Campus Center, Busch Campus, 8 p.m.
RUPA presents “Ubuntu: Interconnectedness and Conflict Resolution,” a lecture with South African Prince Cedza Dlamini. Ubuntu is an African value system based on compassion, respect, integrity and tolerance of others. Prince Cedza encourages young people to implement the Ubuntu philosophy to bring about global social change. Contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com or call 732-932-5395 for more information.
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Soul Food Buffet LuncheonDouglass Café, Douglass Campus Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Traditional “soul food,” a term to describe American cuisine commonly associated with black culture, will be offered at $9 per person. Contact ltenore@rci.rutgers.edu for details.
Friday, Feb. 15
New Jersey Diversity Career DayRutgers Student Center, Multipurpose Room, College Avenue Campus
More than 80 employers from a wide range of industries will attend the career program including familiar brands such as Bank of America, Comcast, Liberty Mutual, Merrill Lynch, Pepsi and organizations, such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Nearly a thousand students are expected to network at the statewide career fair that has been in existence for more than 20 years. For more information, contact 732-932-7997 or go to careerservices.rutgers.edu.
Saturday, Feb. 16
Trip to the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Livingston Student Center, Livingston Campus, 9 a.m.
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, Md., houses more than 100 wax figures presented in dramatic and historical scenes featuring special lighting, sound effects and animation. Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Billie Holiday and many other prominent figures chronicle the history of African people from around the globe. The trip includes a dramatic walk through a replica of a slave ship, complete with Middle Passage history. Tickets are on sale. Contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com or call 732-932-5395 for prices and other details.
Monday, Feb. 18
Dialogue between Blacks and JewsRaritan River Lounge, Student Activities Center, College Avenue campus, 8 p.m.
Rutgers Hillel presents the provocative film, “The Black Jew Dialogues,” which will be followed by an intercommunity discussion on race and ethnicity, identity, culture and heritage. Contact joshuare@eden.rutgers.edu for more information.
Our Means of Survival: What is Black Wall Street?
Rutgers Student Center, Room 402, College Avenue Campus, 9 p.m.
The Rutgers chapter of the NAACP presents “Black (Negro) Wall Street,” the name given to Greenwood Avenue of North Tulsa, Okla., during the early 1900s. Blacks in the region were confined to the 35-square-foot location to live, shop, and do business – creating a prosperous black business district admired by the entire country. A discussion will explore the race riots that led to the destruction of this community in 1921. Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.
Thursday, Feb. 21
Black Blood DrivePaul Robeson Cultural Center, Busch Campus, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
African-Americans donate less than 5 percent of the blood supply in New Jersey. Help the New Jersey Blood Center reach its goal of donating 50 pints of blood for Black History Month. Although a special appeal is being made to the black community, the New Jersey Blood Center invites everyone to participate in this worthy cause. Contact mjohns12@eden.rutgers.edu for more information.
Poetry for the PeoplePaul Robeson Cultural Center, Busch Campus, 7:30 p.m.
Verbal Mayhem and the Rutgers University Association of Black Journalists present an evening of poetry inspired by the national social and political landscape. Light refreshments will be served. Contact nhamm@eden.rutgers.edu for details.
Friday, Feb. 22
Dinner, Documentary, and DiscussionGraduate Student Lounge, College Avenue Campus, 5:30 p.m.
The Men's Collective will host a modest dinner and viewing of the film, “What Black Men Think,” followed by a discussion. The event is co-sponsored by the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Contact mvaden@eden.rutgers.edu for details.
Saturday, Feb. 23
An Evening of Gospel ChoirsVoorhees Chapel, Douglass Campus, 7 p.m.
The annual gospel music concert has taken place for more than 25 years at Rutgers. This year's special guest is the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. Free admission. Contact agillespie@amst.rutgers.edu for details.
Monday, Feb. 25
Rutgers Student Center, Room 402, College Avenue Campus, 9 p.m.
The Rutgers chapter of the NAACP presents the final part of its weekly series for Black History Month. Michael Peterson, NAACP treasurer and president of the Minority Investors Network, will discuss the importance of being financially secure as well as identifying the resources to accomplishing your business goals. Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
Monthly “Black Thoughts” Discussion: “Every Man for Himself: Are We Responsible for One Another?”Douglass Campus Center, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus, 8:30 p.m.
Join the Douglass Black Students' Congress for its “Black Thoughts” discussion series. The event will explore the dichotomy between two schools of thoughts among members of the black community: the notion that every person should focus on his or her personal success and the opposing philosophy of collective responsibility for group success. Light refreshments will be served. Contact acsawyer@eden.rutgers.edu for details.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
Soul Food Buffet LuncheonDouglass Campus Center, Douglass Café, Douglass Campus, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Traditional “soul food” will be offered at $9 per person. Contact ltenore@rci.rutgers.edu for details.
Local Heroes of Black HistoryDouglass Campus Center, Faculty Dining Room, Douglass Campus, 8:30 p.m.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will recognize local heroes of the Rutgers University-New Brunswick community. Contact LarrishaDLove@gmail.com for details.
Thursday, Feb. 28
Douglass Campus Center, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus, 8 p.m.
TWESE: The Organization of African Students and Friends of Africa presents a special program examining the social and economic issues that affect the African community and the progress of that community in modern society. Contact bforson@eden.rutgers.edu for details.
Friday, Feb. 29
Ninth Annual “Jazz ‘N Java” Multicultural Poetry NightDouglass Campus Center, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus, 8:30 p.m.
This month marks nine years that the Douglass Black Students' Congress has hosted one of the most popular multicultural events on campus. Accompanied by music to the tunes of the Big Rich and Soul7 or performed a cappella, students will perform original lyrical works. Arrive early, seats are expected to fill quickly. Performers must sign up in advance; contact wilson77@rci.rutgers.edu by Friday, Feb. 22.
Media Contact: Nicole Pride
732-932-7084, ext. 610
E-mail: npride@ur.rutgers.edu