UMKC celebrates African American History Month
African American History Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of African-American men and women. Events for the month include lectures, soul food celebrations and film discussions. Following are a few events and activities taking place on the UMKC campus in recognition of National African American History Month.
African American Read-In:
Celebrating the Works of African American Authors
In recognition of African American History Month, UMKC Libraries invites you to join over a million readers in the Twenty-First National African American Read-In. The event is sponsored by the Black Caucus of NCTE and NCTE. The program has also been endorsed by the International Reading Association. There will be two sessions: Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Feb. 25, from 3:00 -4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Miller Nichols Library Room 303.
Join the celebration by doing any of the following:
* Read a poem or short excerpt from a book
* Present an original piece of music or art
* Act out a scene from a book or a play
* Sit back and enjoy - come watch others present
Anything goes as long as it is from or inspired by the work of an African American author.
Seating and participant schedule is limited. Please RSVP to
Gloria Tibbs by Feb. 21.
For more information call 816.235.1534.
Black Studies Program: Open House events
In recognition of African American History Month, the UMKC Black Studies Program will host an Open House, February 23-25 at the Black Studies office, 5305 Holmes. Each day will feature a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a special presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
“Black Women Quilters”: African American Quilters Continuously Stitching the Dream
Presentations by Dr. Veronica Wilson-Tagoe and The Mo-Kan Heart Quilters Guild
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
“Transitions in Indigenous Art: Creating in a Democratic South Africa"
Presenter: Dr. Adrienne W. Hoard, Artist and Professor
Thursday, February 25, 2010
“Love Letters to Generations: Reading from Where I Must Go, and Selected Poems”
Presenter: Dr. Angela R. Jackson
UMKC Counseling Center African American History Month Quiz
UMKC's Counseling Center is holding its third annual African American History Month "Test Your Knowledge" Contest. This year it is available for campus wide participation. Spearheaded by Dr. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes, this is an exercise to promote awareness of the experience, history and universal impact of African Americans.
Each week during the month of February, an intriguing question about African American history will be posted on the Counseling Center's website at www.umkc.edu/counselingcenter/aahistory.asp. The first person to answer the question correctly will receive one of several prizes that have been donated by Kansas City businesses.
New Letters on the Air: Cave Canem
In recognition of African American History Month, on Feb. 5, New Letters on the Air celebrated the poetry of Cave Canem. Founded in 1996 as a retreat and safe haven for black poets, the organization has expanded from a one-week summer workshop in Pennsylvania to sponsoring events and readings across the country, and they now have two book awards. The broadcast featured three poets, whose first books were published as a result of winning the Cave Canem Poetry Prize--Natasha Tretheway, Major Jackson, and Kyle Dargen. A podcast of the program will be available here.
If your school, department or group is holding any events related to African American History Month, please send the information to umkcpublicrelations@umkc.edu.
