Owens Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events and activities intended to highlight and honor the role and impact of African Americans in America’s history.

The public is encouraged to join the campus community for guest speakers and educational awareness programs.

Planned activities include:
Feb. 3: “Break Beat Poetica” with Idris Goodwin, awarding-winning playwright, poet and hip hop artist. Goodwin will provide a lyrical and rhythmic reflection of his journeys as an American rapper. His performance will explore the effects of mass media in shaping the perceptions of different races and ethnicities, diversity the differences between real community-based hip hop culture and mainstream corporatized hip hop and what it means to be an American, among other topics. (11 a.m., Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center rooms 145-147).

Goodwin will also present Master Class Workshops at 9:30 and 12:30 p.m. in rooms 145-17 of the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center.

Feb. 15: Community Essay and Poetry Jam Contest. Attendees will have the chance to express and share their thoughts through the use of spoken word and poetry. Presented by the Black Student Union. (6 p.m., Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center rooms 145-147.)

Feb. 16: ALMA Drum and Dance Performance. Discover the vibrant world of traditional West African music and dance as the ALMA Drum and Dance Performance group showcases their many talents. Several dancing and folkloric styles will be featured as part of the performance. (12 p.m., Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda.)

Feb. 16-17: Black History Community Quiz Bowl. Elementary through high school students are invited to test their knowledge of various topics related to black history as the Owens Black Student Union hosts a “Jeopardy”-style community quiz bowl. (6 p.m., Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center Rooms 145-147.)

Feb. 19: Karen Durrant’s Dreamgirls. Take a trip back in time to the magical sounds of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s as Karen  Durrant brings to life the classic and timeless songs made famous by such female artists as Tina Turner, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer and The as Pointer Sisters. (8 p.m., Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.)

Personal Finance and Money Management Workshop. Gain insight into the importance of making sound financial decisions. Hosted by the Black Student Union. Baccus Holdings Inc. will serve as the presenting organization. (6 p.m. Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center rooms 145-147.)

March 28: African-American Small Business Awards Celebration. Longstanding area African-American businesses will be honored for their entrepreneurial excellence, exceptional service and dedication to the community. Presented by the Black Student Union. (5 p.m., Audio/Visual Classroom Center rooms 125-128.)

In addition, Owens’ libraries on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will display a selection of books and audio/visual materials related to Black History Month.

Also, artwork of five Owens students is on display through March 6 at the 20 North Gallery in downtown Toledo as part of a Black History Month Exhibit.

For more information about Owens’ Black History Month activities, call 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7421. 

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