NSU Celebrates Black History Month with Broad Range of Enlightening and Entertaining Events

Public is invited to enjoy a variety of programs that will educate, inspire and engage

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will celebrate Black History Month 2008 with a variety of events including art, dance performances, special film viewings, lectures and discussions, and health screenings.

Highlights of the month-long celebration include a discussion on Feb. 8 by author and oral historian Kitty Oliver about South Florida’s black history; the opening of “A Continent of Cultural Treasures” African Presence 2008 Art Exhibition on Feb. 7 that runs through March 8, and a stepping class and performance on Feb. 24 by the critically- acclaimed professional company Step Afrika. In addition, NSU medical volunteers will be at the Sistrunk Historical Festival on Feb. 23 to offer health screenings.

New this year to the month-long salute to black history is a blog site to encourage ongoing discussion around the various NSU Black History events. The blog address is http://blogs.library.nova.edu/blackhistory.

Below is a complete listing of events. Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held on NSU’s main campus, 3301 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

Black History Month at Nova Southeastern University

Sunday, February 3

Black History Month Film Marathon, noon – 6:00 p.m.
Come to the Alvin Sherman Library to celebrate Black History Month with a back-to-back showing of classic films that explore prejudice, racial tension and racial tolerance. The lineup of films are: Pinky (1949), Intruder in the Dust (1949) and The Defiant Ones (1958). Films deal with adult themes; all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older. Contact Kimberli Kidd at (954)-262-5477.

Monday, February 4

Gandhi, King, and the Philosophy of Non-Violent Resistance, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Farquhar College of Arts & Sciences will host Michael Nojeim, Associate Professor of Political Science at Prairie View A&M University and author of Gandhi and King: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance (2004), who will discuss the origins and tradition of non-violence resistance in change movements, Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Contact Mark Duncan at 954-262-8021 or dkilroy@nova.edu.

Thursday, February 7

Speaker: Kitty Oliver – Author and Oral Historian, noon – 1:15 p.m.
The H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship hosts author and oral historian Kitty Oliver who will discuss South Florida’s black history. Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Contact Jeremiah Chapman at jchapman@nova.edu.

“A Continent of Cultural Treasures” – African Presence 2008 Fifth Annual
Art Exhibition Grand Opening Reception, 7:00 p.m.
In celebration of the rich heritage of Africa, NSU will host “A Continent of Cultural Treasures”, which features art and artifacts from local collectors, including NSU faculty members. The Opening Reception will be held at 7:00 p.m., in the Miniaci Courtyard. Exhibition will be on display in the NSU Gallery through March 8. Call 954-262-5353.

Friday, February 8

Strengths of Black Families Film Festival, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
This film festival, hosted by NSU’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, will allow attendees to view and discuss two films that highlight the strengths of Black families. “Akeelah and the Bee,” will be featured in the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. For more information contact Dr. Debra Nixon, 954-262-3008 or nixond@nova.edu.

Saturday, February 9

NSU Diversity Summit: “Diversity and Organizations,” 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
The annual NSU Diversity Summit will be held in the Shepard Broad Law Center. The Summit is designed to raise participants’ awareness of perspectives that make up our world; provide an opportunity to examine issues impacting a diverse community; and more. Contact Marci Washington, mwashing@nova.edu.

Sunday, February 10

“Cultural Explosion – Celebrating Black History Month through the Arts,” 6:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.
This Cultural Explosion is where hip hop meets jazz, R&B meets rap and where Spoken Word is more than just a poem.  Show includes live music, dancing, art and fashion exhibitions.  This event will be held on the Flight Deck in the University Center. The event is sponsored by the Alvin Sherman Library; Division of Student Affairs, Multicultural Affairs; College of Allied Health and Nursing; and the Diversity Ambassadors. Contact Cherise James, jcherise@nova.edu, or LeThesha Harris, lethesha@nova.edu.

Monday, February 11

“The Tradition of  Kente Cloth” presented by Dr. Cyril Blavo, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Blavo, a native of Ghana and NSU professor, will discuss the origins of Kente, as well as the traditions and cultures associated with the fabric. A hand-made weaving apparatus will also be on display. The event will be held in the Alvin Sherman Library, 2nd Floor Gallery. Contact: Kenny McCallum, 954-262-1289 or odoo@nsu.nova.edu.

Tuesday, February 12

Presentation: “HIV/AIDS Reduction in Southern Africa,” noon – 1:30 p.m.
Dr.Stephen Campbell, a professor at NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies, and eight doctoral students participated in a humanitarian trip to Swaziland last August and conducted workshops in crisis, suicide intervention and other factors associated with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The presentation will be held in the Carl DeSantis building, room 1124. Contact Dr. Sarah Valley-Gray, valleygr@nova.edu.

Thursday, February 14

“Body & Movement” presented by Corpo e Movimento Capoeira Academy, noon – 12:30 p.m.
Mestre Pele, a native of Brazil and director of Capoiera Academy in Wilton Manors, will demonstrate Capoiera, which encompasses Brazilian martial art, fight, and dance, in the University Center Flight Deck. Sponsored by the College of Allied Health & Nursing, Contact: Kenny McCallum, 954-262-1289 or odoo@nsu.nova.edu.

Friday, February 15

Strengths of Black Families Film Festival, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Festival continues with viewing and discussion of “Why Did I Get Married?” in the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium.  For more information, contact Dr. Debra Nixon, 954-262-3008 or nixond@nova.edu.

Saturday, February 16

Minority Law Day, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center will host Minority Law Day at the Law Center. The free event gives high school and undergraduates a taste of what it’s like to attend law school. Contact Beth Hall, 954-262-6121 or hallb@nsu.law.nova.edu.

Saturday, February 23

NSU Volunteers at the Sistrunk Historical Festival & Parade on Sistrunk Bouleveard, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The College of Allied Health and Nursing will provide health screenings at the oldest African- American Festival in Broward County – the Sistrunk Historical Festival and Parade – named in honor of Dr. James Sistrunk, one of the county’s first black physicians.  NSU health professionalsl will conduct a variety of free screenings such as developmental, postural, vascular and blood pressure readings from 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Contact Dr. Bini Litwin, 954-262-1662 or blitwin@nova.edu.

Sunday, February 24

Step Afrika Master Class and Performance
Step Afrika is the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Founded in 1994, the company is critically-acclaimed for its efforts to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and the dance tradition’s use as an educational tool.

Master Class – noon- 2:00 p.m., in the University Center, room MP 3. Space is limited. To register, contact Dr. Chetachi Egwu at 954-262-8073 or egwu@nova.edu.

Performance – Step Afrika performs at 6:30 p.m., in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. Admission is $15.00; free for NSU students with ID. Contact Dr. Chetachi Egwu at 954-262-8073 or egwu@nova.edu.

The event is sponsored by Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, College of Allied Health and Nursing; Division of Student Affairs, Multicultural Affairs; Pan-African Student Association; and Chicks on Point.

Thursday, February 28

Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Awards, 6:30 p.m.
The Black Heritage Council at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services will sponsor the fourth Annual Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Award Ceremony in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. Guest speaker is Ambassador and NSU Visiting Professor Dr. Bobby Jones.  Contact Dr. Delores M. Smiley, 954-262-8443 or smiley@nsu.nova.edu.

Friday, February 29

Strengths of Black Families Dialogue, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Black History Month concludes with a lively, honest discussion about the present and future of black families; how to create stronger families and how to begin now building towards that future in the Alvin Sherman Library. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Contact Dr. Debra Nixon, 954-262-3008 or nixond@nova.edu.

Media Contact:
Julie Spechler, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954.262.5348 Office, 954.591.3361 Cell, julies@nova.edu

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