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MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Celebrate Black History Month with Events Throughout February

MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Celebrate Black History Month with Events Throughout February

March 1st, 2016

Story Contact: Nathan Hurst, 573-882-6217, hurstn@missouri.edu

WHAT: The University of Missouri will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events throughout February. The month-long celebration, “Hallowed Grounds: Sites and Rites of Black Memory,” will feature events such as performances, lectures and panels. Some of the events include:

  • The State Historical Society of Missouri will present, “Sites of Black Memory in the Missouri State Capitol: The Radical Representation of African Americans in Thomas Hart Benton’s 1936 Mural ‘The Social History of Missouri.’” Art historian Joan Stack will explore the representation of African Americans in the art of the Missouri State Capitol, particularly Thomas Hart Benton’s “Social History of Missouri” mural.

       5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1

       Main Gallery, State Historical Society of Missouri

  • The State Historical Society of Missouri and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity are sponsoring The African-American Experience in Missouri Inaugural Lecture, ‘Contesting Slavery: Enslaved Missourians Enduring Struggle for Self Determination.’ Diane Mutti Burke, author of On Slavery’s Border: Missouri’s Small- Slaveholding Households, will examine the lives of African Americans who were enslaved in Mid-Missouri. The event will begin at 7 p.m. followed by the lecture and a book signing.

       7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3

       Jesse Auditorium, Jesse Hall, MU campus

  • Award-winning jazz bassist and vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello will perform with MU’s jazz band under the direction of Arthur White, director ofJazz Studies and associate professor of music. Following the performance, Stephanie Shonekan, associate professor of ethnomusicology and black studies, will moderate discussion with Ndegeocello.

       7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11

       Missouri Theatre 

  • Alicia Garzia, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, founders of the social media movement, #BlackLivesMatter, will speak about social injustice, systemic racism and effective advocacy. Tickets are free for MU students and $5 for the public.

       7:00 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18

       Jesse Auditorium, Jesse Hall, MU campus

  • The MU Black History Month Committee, the MU College of Arts and Science and the School of Journalism will present, “Black Life, Hip Hop, Activism.” The event will feature a performance and conversation with hip hop artist and activist Jasiri X.

       7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19

       Leadership Auditorium, MU Student Center, MU campus

  • University of the West Indies Professor of Social History and UN delegate Dr. Verene Shepherd will present the lecture, “Racism, Reparation and Reconciliation.”

       6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25

       Room 204, Neff Hall, MU campus

WHO: MU students, faculty, staff and campus community.

WHEN & WHERE: Feb. 1 – Feb. 28

Various locations, MU campus

NOTES: Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. A full schedule of events can be viewed at http://blackstudies.missouri.edu/images/pdf/2016BlackHistoryMonthPoster.pdf

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