UA Celebrates African American History Month with Tours, Events

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Crossroads Community Center invites the UA campus and community to participate in events throughout February during African American History Month.

The theme this year is “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” This month’s events include tours of the UA campus that concentrate on the 60th Anniversary of Autherine Lucy’s time at UA as well as the history of African-Americans on campus. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

“Hallowed Ground” Campus Tours:

Slavery and the University Tour by Dr. Hilary Green, departments of gender and race studies and American studies. Meet at Gorgas Library steps.

10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3

2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10

10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17

2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24

UA African American Heritage Tour by Dr. Jason Black, departments of communication studies and gender and race studies. Meet at Reese Phifer Hall steps.

10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5

1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12

10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19

1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26

60th Anniversary of Autherine Lucy at UA Tour by Dr. Meredith M. Bagley, department of communication studies. Meet at Reese Phifer Hall steps.

3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8

11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15

3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22

11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 29

The schedule includes:   

Film Screening of “Percy Julian: The Forgotten Genius”: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.  3, Shelby Hall 1092. Sponsor: National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.

“My Lens, Our Ferguson”: Artist talk with Adrian O. Walker; and African American History in Print: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Ferguson Center Art Gallery. Artist talk will  begin at 5:30 p.m. Co-Sponsors: Creative Campus, Crimson White, Ferguson Center Student Union.

Black on Film Photography Exhibit: Feb.  4–29, Ferguson Center Art Gallery. Co-Sponsors: Creative Campus, Crimson White, Ferguson Center Student Union.

“Freedom Riders, In Their Own Words”: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb.  7, First African Baptist Church. Co-Sponsors: UA Crossroads, Black Student Union, University Programs, First African Baptist Church

Famous Firsts in African American History: Tabling Event: 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 10, Ferguson Center Lobby. Sponsor: Women and Gender Resource Center.

Tuscaloosa African Film Festival: 3:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Bama Theatre. Children’s program begins at 3:30 p.m.; adult program begins at 6:30 p.m. Co-Sponsors: College of Community Health Sciences, department of gender and race. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for youth 14-17.

Black History Month Guest Speaker: Jimmy Webb, Civil Rights Activist: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.  17, Gorgas Library 205. Co-Sponsors: First Year Council, a division of SGA; UA Crossroads.

Film Screening of “Pelo Malo”:  6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, ten Hoor Hall 125. A Venezuelan boy has European, Indigenous and African ancestry which gives him tightly curled hair. He is obsessed with trying to straighten it. “Pelo Malo” looks at identity politics in Latin America. Sponsor: Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies.

African American History Month Trivia: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18,   Glory Bound Gyro Co. Co-Sponsors: UA Women and Gender Resource Center, Black Student Leadership Council.’

Dr. Ethel H. Hall African American Heritage Month Celebration Speaker: Dr. Clinton Dye: noon Friday, Feb. 19, Little Hall 223. Reception follows at 1:30 p.m. in Little Hall Student Lounge. Sponsor: School of Social work, UA Crossroads.

African American Read-In: 6 p.m. Monday, Feb.  22,  Gorgas Library 205. Students, faculty and staff may contact WRCGrad3@sa.ua.edu to volunteer to read a poem, passage, etc. This will be an evening to celebrate African American women’s contributions to literature. Sponsor: Women and Gender Resource Center.

State of the Black Union: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, Russell Hall 159. Sponsor: Black Student Union.

“Hidden Colors” Documentary Discussion: Discussion of controversial topics in documentary “Hidden Colors.” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, Lloyd Hall 329. Co-Sponsors: University Programs, The Ferguson Center, Student Union, SGA, Collegiate 100, Black Student Leadership Council, Sankofa.

Black History Month Guest Speaker with Elliot Spillers: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, Gorgas Library 205. Co-Sponsors: First Year Council, A Division of SGA; UA Crossroads.

Film Screening: “Living Thinkers”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.  24, Lloyd Hall 120, Sponsor: Women and Gender Resource Center.

EveryWoman Book Club “The Secret of the Magic” by Deborah Johnson. noon Thursday, Feb. 25 . Note: This event is open to staff, faculty, and graduate students only. The cost is $12. Participants must RSVP by phoning 205/348-5040. Sponsor: Women and Gender Resource Center.

Celebrating Black Excellence in the Sciences: Guest speaker and program highlighting contributions made by members of the African diaspora. 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, Shelby Hall 2106. Co-Sponsors: National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, African Students Association.

Sankofa Week: Jamii (Community Service Project) 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, Bryant, Central and Holt high schools. To participate, contact Fred Horn at uasankofa2@gmail.com. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa

Sankofa Week: Akoma (Awareness event for American Heart Association). 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, Ferguson Center Great Hall. Co-sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Dr. Hilary Green, Sankofa.

Sankofa Week: Black Out Live Exhibit: Tuesday, March 1. 11 a.m. throughout campus; noon at the Malone-Hood Clock Tower. Reflection Ceremony at the Malone-Hood Clock Tower. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa.

Sankofa Week: Mtindo (African American Inspired Fashion Show). 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, Ferguson Center Ballroom. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa, Epruve, Moda Elite, Collegiate 100.

Sankofa Week: Sanaa (“Hidden Colors” documentary screening and student art exhibit): 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, Gorgas Library 205. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa, Collegiate 100, University Programs.

Sankofa Week: Kueleza (open mike night). 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, Starbucks in the Ferguson Center. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa.

Sankofa Week: “A Night at the Apollo” 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Ferguson Center Theatre. Cost is $5. Co-Sponsors: Black Student Leadership Council, SGA, Sankofa.