Black history month events offer cultural and historical education

January 24, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In celebration of February’s Black History Month, the University of Florida will offer a month-long schedule of events and festivities to pay tribute to blacks’ struggles, successes and scholarship.

The “Return to Royalty”-themed events kick off at 8 p.m. Friday with opening ceremonies in the Reitz Student Union Rion Ballroom, and will reflect the royalty of Africa and the significance of black achievements.

“We encourage UF students to attend our events because they are put on by UF students,” said Billy D. Holcombe, 2006 Black History Month director. “All Black History Month events are for the UF students, though we actively pursue community involvement and attendance at all the events. It is the balance of student and community attendance that will make this month a success.”

While most events are held on the UF campus and may attract a higher student attendance, Kid’s Day 2006 is an annual event with free food, carnival games, storytelling and local performances designed to involve members of the Gainesville community. It will be held Feb. 4 in T.B. McPherson Park.

“The Black History Month speaker series is phenomenal, which includes Jeffrey “Cousin Jeff” Johnson, Spike Lee and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson,” Holcombe said. Johnson, host of “The Cousin Jeff Chronicles” on BET, will speak at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. Filmmaker Lee, the month’s keynote speaker, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 1, at the O’Connell Center. Dyson, a celebrated author, will speak at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom.

Scheduled events also include a cultural step performance by the world-renowned group, Step Afrika, in the Reitz Student Union TV Lounge at 7 p.m. Feb. 3. “Back in the Days,” a play-based ode to black achievement showcasing elements of black culture from different periods, will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Reitz Student Union Rion Ballroom.

“Our largest [events] are those which fall during the Onyx Explosion weekend, which include a Future Fair job fair, the annual Black History Month Comedy Show, the annual Black Student Union Fashion X-Clusive and the 17th Annual Florida Invitational Step Show,” said Holcombe. They are scheduled Feb. 16-19.

Speakers and the events of the Onyx Explosion Weekend usually draw the largest crowds, though other events such as the Escape to Morocco Ball at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom and Kid’s Day have attendance numbers in the hundreds, he said.

Closing ceremonies for Black History Month will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Reitz Student Union Rion Ballroom. This event will feature an awards show, a performance by the Nubians of the Nile promotional team and a grand prize for the individual who attended the most Black History Month events.

“Black History Month events are important because they all have educational merit,” said Holcombe. “Something can always be learned at the events, whether it be the cultural significance of stepping, the legacy of black achievement at Black Jeopardy, or the oratorical talents of UF students at our Speak Out essay contest,” he added.

A complete list of events, times, locations and suggested attire can be found at the Black History Month Web site, http://grove.ufl.edu/~bhm.