“Prospering, Progressing, Power: Trailblazing the Way to Greatness” is the theme of The University of Toledo’s 2013 celebration of Black History Month.

During February, offices, departments and student organizations have planned several events.

Ritter Planetarium will pay tribute with a show called “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” which is a historical program that shows how slaves used the stars to find their way North to freedom. The show will take place Saturdays at 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 4 through 12, and free for children 3 and younger.

Other events include a soul food luncheon, urban dance presentation, poetry reading and a few lunchtime lectures.

Black History Month events include:

Wednesday, Feb. 6
• Black History Month Kickoff, noon, Student Union Room 2582-2584. Dr. Johnnie L. Early, dean of the UT College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, will be the keynote speaker.

Thursday, Feb. 7
• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture Series, noon, Student Union Room 3016. Topic: “Black Professionals: Insights on Expanding Your Career Opportunities.” Speakers: Dr. Lesley Berhan, UT associate professor of mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering; Ben Davis, UT associate professor of law; Dr. Monica Holiday-Goodman, UT professor of pharmacy practice; Dr. Morris Jenkins, UT professor and chair of criminal justice and social work; and Darlene Miller, UT senior administrator of the Executive Master of Business Administration Program.

• Kappa Delta Philanthropy Dinner, 10 p.m., Kappa Delta house in McComas Village.

Monday, Feb. 18
• Soul Food Luncheon, noon, Student Union Trimble South Lounge. Sample some traditional African-American soul food.

• Urban Dance and Ballroom Demonstrations and Workshop, 8 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Step out and learn some moves!

Tuesday, Feb. 19
• A Night With the Legends, 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2591. Join Miniya as the group honors African-American women from the community.

• Sex Education, 7 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Fatima Pervaiz, UT program coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Student Services, will lead the discussion.

Wednesday, Feb. 20
• Heritage Night, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Celebrate African-American heritage events from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Thursday, Feb. 21
• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture Series, noon, Student Union Room 2579. Topic: “African Maroons and Memory in Latin America.” Speaker: Dr. Charles Beatty Medina, UT associate professor of history.

Friday, Feb. 22
• Black Student Union Fashion Show, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Tickets: $12; $15 for runway seats; $120 for VIP table of eight.

Monday, Feb. 25
• Student Organization Gala presented by the Public Relations Student Society of America, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium.

Tuesday, Feb. 26
• Poetry Readings and Jazz, 7 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Poet Xplicit and flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq will perform.

For more information, click here or contact the Office of Multicultural Student Services at 419.530.2261 or the Office of Student Involvement at 419.530.2992.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 19, 2013)
The Blade (Feb. 20, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (Feb. 5, 2013)