Celebrate Black History Month with FREE Inspiring & Entertaining Events at Nova Southeastern University

Highlights include an exhibit of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Soul Food cooking class, African dance workshops, family and children’s events, and more!

 FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will honor Black History Month in February 2011 through a variety of activities including engaging art exhibitions, performances, award-winning film screenings, dynamic speakers and compelling educational workshops and discussions for all ages. 

Highlights of the month-long celebration include: 

• The grand opening of a new photo exhibit documenting Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Feb. 3;  
  

  Photo Credit: Copyright, Estate of Stanley Tretick from the exhibition, “And Freedom for All”

• A Soul Food cooking demo and tasting with one of the area’s top chefs on Feb. 5;

• The Strengths of the Black Family series featuring talks on Hip Hop on Feb. 2, and Black Love on Feb. 14;

• An African dance class on Feb 15, and an urban funk workshop on Feb. 18;

• A one-man show about Langston Hughes on Feb. 19, and a journey toward natural hair on Feb. 20;

• And much, much more!

Unless otherwise noted, all events are FREE and open to the public, and will be held at NSU’s main campus at 3301 College Ave. More events are being added all the time, so for the latest updates please visit: www.nova.edu/blackhistory.

The current list of NSU’s Black History Month events includes:

• Hip Hop: Spitting the Truth?
  Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  NSU’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences presents the 4th Annual Black History Month Roundtable, Strengths of the Black Family. This opening discussion, “Hip Hop: Spitting the Truth?” will feature straight talk about the origin and history of Hip Hop music, lyrics, and culture and its contemporary influence. Are the messages uplifting or destructive? Facilitator: NSU Family Therapy professor Debra Nixon. Location: Carl DeSantis Building, room TBA. Call 954-262-3008.

• “Reinventing a Traditional National Organization at the Local Level” Power Lunch
  Thursday, Feb. 3 at 1:15 p.m.
  The Graduate Business Student Association at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship will host a power lunch featuring guest speaker Germaine Smith-Baugh, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County. Location: Carl DeSantis Building, room 1048/1049. Call 954-262-5159.

• “And Freedom for All: The March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom”
  African Presence 2011 Eighth Annual Art Exhibition Grand Opening Reception
  Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Relive the historic moment when Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his emotional “I Have a Dream” speech. This photo documentary, captured by award-winning LOOK magazine photojournalist Stanley Tretick, portrays the 1963 march on the capital that signaled a new era in the Civil Rights Movement. This collection will be on view Feb. 3 through March 31, 2011 in the Second Floor Gallery of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. The Feb. 3 opening reception in the Don Taft University Center will feature hors d’oeuvres, choral and dance performances, a “Pouring of the Libation” ceremony, and the exhibit unveiling. The reception is FREE and open to the public but requires an RSVP. Call 954-262-5357.

• Cooking Demonstration: Soul Food Twist
  Saturday, Feb. 5 from 1 – 2 p.m., FREE and open to the public with RSVP
  Traditional African-American soul food will get a yummy new twist as Resident Chef Bil Mitchell of the Publix Apron’s Cooking School will demonstrate poached shrimp over hominy grits cakes with serrano jelly. Attendees will get to sample goodies as they learn about new soul food choices. Location: NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. Call 954-262-5477.

• Humanitarian Relief in Haiti: Lessons Learned
  Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  NSU’s  Center for Psychological Studies’ clinical psychology students and faculty member Stephen Campbell, Ph.D., traveled to Haiti in May 2010 to provide relief in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. This presentation will highlight their humanitarian efforts which included providing support to schools, distributing supplies, and conducting brief interventions to help groups of individuals cope with the trauma they endured. Location: TBA. Call 954 -262-5783.

• Let’s Promote R-E-S-P-E-C-T
  Thursday, Feb. 10 at 12 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Join the Graduate Student Groups of NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies, as they demonstrate how to promote the principles of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all using the Fairness for All Individuals through Respect (FAIR) curriculum. The FAIR mission is to help youth recognize and to empower them to promote fairness, through respect for themselves and others. Call 954-262-5783.

• “Body & Movement” Demo by Corpo e Movimento Capoeira Academy
  Monday, Feb. 14 from noon – 1 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Mestre Pele, a native of Brazil and director of Capoiera Academy in Wilton Manors, will demonstrate Capoiera, which encompasses Afro-Brazilian martial art, fight and dance. Location: Terry Building, Health Professions Division. Sponsored by NSU’s College of Allied Health & Nursing. Call 954-262-1289.
   
• Black Love: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Issues in African American Romance
  Monday, Feb. 14 from 7 – 9 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  On Valentine’s Day, NSU’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences continues its Strengths of the Black Family series with a discussion of “Black Love.” The program, facilitated by faculty therapists, will feature film clips, discussion and debate. Facilitator: Debra Nixon, NSU Family Therapy professor. Location: Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Call 954-262-3008.

• African Dance Master Class with Tami Idun Ogde & Live Drummers
  Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m., FREE and open to the public with RSVP
  Feel the spirit of the drum! Master African dancer and instructor Tami Idun Ogde will teach a dynamic class on West African Dance with live drumming. Location: Performing Visual Arts Performance Theater, NSU’s Don Taft University Center. Space is limited; reservations are required. Call 954-262-8073.

• Miss Meagan’s Storytime Fun: M is for Motown Music! (Ages 3-5 with caregiver)
  Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., FREE and open to the public
  Celebrate Black History Month with books by your favorite African-American authors and the music of Motown performed live at storytime by singer-librarian Miss Rebecca! Location: NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. Call 954-262-5477.

• “Body & Movement” Demo by Corpo e Movimento Capoeira Academy
  Thursday, Feb. 17 from noon – 1 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Mestre Pele, a native of Brazil and director of Capoiera Academy in Wilton Manors, will demonstrate Capoiera, which encompasses Afro-Brazilian martial art, fight and dance. Location: Terry Building, Health Professions Division. Sponsored by NSU’s College of Allied Health & Nursing. Call 954-262-1289.

• Let’s Promote R-E-S-P-E-C-T
  Thursday, Feb. 10 at 12 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Join the Graduate Student Groups of NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies, as they demonstrate how to promote the principles of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all using the Fairness for All Individuals through Respect (FAIR) curriculum. The FAIR mission is to help youth recognize and to empower them to promote fairness, through respect for themselves and others. Call 954-262-5783.

• Hip-Hop/Urban Funk Dance Workshop with Zedric Bembry
  Friday, Feb. 18 at 12 p.m., FREE and open to the public with RSVP
  Feel the soul of the streets! Artistic Director Zedric Bembry of the national urban funk/hip-hop dance company Live In Color, will conduct a dynamic dance workshop on the basics of hip-hop and urban funk. Location: Performing Visual Arts Performance Theater, NSU’s Don Taft University Center. Space is limited; reservations are required. Call 954-262-8073.

• Black Law Student Association Presents NSU Law Day
  Saturday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Law Day gives high school, undergraduates, and other prospective students a taste of what it’s like to attend law school. Location: NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center. Call 954-262-6121.

• Langston Hughes Show by Actor/Writer David Mills
  Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., FREE and open to the public with RSVP
  New York-based actor and writer Don St. Clair brings the life and work of Harlem Renaissance icon Langston Hughes in his one-man show, Langston Hughes. The show combines theater, poetry and song, and is sure to inspire and entertain! Location: NSU’s Mailman Hollywood Building Auditorium. Space is limited; reservations are required. Call 954-262-8073.

• Going Natural: An Exploration of Natural Hair Care
  Sunday, Feb. 20 from 2 – 5 p.m., FREE and open to the public
  Are you currently on or thinking about taking a natural hair journey? Or, do you have concerns about your hair? Learn about the various aspects of transitioning to and maintaining natural hair care during this discussion about hair diseases/disorders and their treatments. Presenters include: Carleen Primus of B-True Organics, Tracy Favreau, D.O., assistant director of clinical dermatology at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. This presentation is sponsored by NSU’s College of Allied Health and Nursing, NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library, Pan African Student Association (PASA) and  American Association of University Women (AAUW). Location: TBA. For more information, call 954-262-5477.

• “Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders”: The 7th Annual Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Awards
  Thursday, Feb. 24 from 6 – 9 p.m., at Signature Grand in Davie
  The prestigious evening affair, hosted by the Black Heritage Council of NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, was established in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek’s work as a lifelong educator and public servant. The fundraising event draws hundreds of educators, government officials, business, and community leaders from Dade and Broward counties for an evening of entertainment and recognition honoring the lives of individuals whose work have positively impacted the African-American community. The keynote speaker will be Salome Thomas-El along with special guest speaker Dennis Bega, Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education. Youth Saxophonist Chris Cummings will provide entertainment. Tickets are $50. Visit www.schoolofed.nova.edu/bhc for more information or to purchase tickets, or call 954-262-8519.

• NSU Medical Professionals Volunteer at the Sistrunk Historical Festival & Parade
  Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m., FREE and open to the public
  Students and faculty from NSU’s College of Allied Health and Nursing (physical therapy, nursing, audiology and occupational therapy programs) will provide free wellness screenings at the Sistrunk Historical Festival and Parade, named in honor of James Sistrunk, one of the county’s first black physicians. Call 954-262-1274.

For more information on additional events, please visit www.nova.edu/blackhistory.

Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office), 954-873-8494 (cell), andrali@nova.edu