The University of Toledo’s “I Am Because We Are” celebration of Black History Month will kick off with a soul food luncheon sharing oral histories from local African Americans.

Dr. Willie McKether, associate dean of the UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, and associate professor of anthropology, will discuss his work adding to the Edrene Cole African American History Collection that he helped establish in collaboration with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library System, which houses the project.

Documenting the seemingly ordinary lives of the project’s participants — from assembly-line workers to lawyers, from teachers to barbers to jazz musicians — was a deeply moving experience for McKether. “They would usually say, ‘I don’t have much to talk about’ — then they’d share these amazing stories,” he said.

The luncheon will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Student Union Auditorium. The event also will include musical performances by the UT Gospel Choir.

Additional events throughout the month of February include:

Monday, Feb. 9
•  Black History Trivia, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union Trimble Lounge.

Friday, Feb. 13
•  Black Student Union Fashion Show, “Black Revolution,” 7:30 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Tickets: $10 general admission, $15 VIP available at Ask Rocky on second floor of Student Union.

Sunday, Feb. 15
•  Film screening of “Selma” at Rave Cinemas Westfield Franklin Park Mall. Students should call the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261 for time of screening and tickets; seating is limited. An “After Selma” discussion will be the next day, 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, in the Student Union Trimble Lounge.

Tuesday, Feb. 17
•  “I Am Because She Was,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582. Sponsor: Talented Aspiring Women Leaders.

Wednesday, Feb. 18
•  Speaker: Rodney O’Neil, chief executive officer and president of Delphi Automotive PLC, 7 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. Sponsors: Association of Black Faculty and Staff, Alpha Phi Boule and Brothers on the Rise.

Saturday, Feb. 21
•  Student Trip to Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, contact the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261.

Wednesday, Feb. 25
•  Speaker: Kevin Powell, political activist and author, 7:30 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. He has written 11 books, including Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and the Ghost of Dr. King: Blogs and Essays, which examines politics and social issues like gender violence, immigration and equality.

For additional information and a full listing of events, visit the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success website at utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/oemss.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 5, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Feb. 11, 2015)