Black History Month events announced at UW-Stevens Point
Courtesy UW-Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will celebrate Black history and culture this month through several events held at the university.
“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. It’s also a time to share and learn about African American stories and history,” said Al Thompson, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and senior diversity officer at UW-Stevens Point, in a press release from the college. “Please take the opportunity to engage in these programs and community discussions.”
Educator, dancer, and choreographer Aysha Upchurch is serving as a Guest Artist Teaching and Creative Residency with the Department of Theatre and Dance from Feb. 9-14. She is working with 13 students to create new work, “Sonic Feedback,” that will be performed as part of Danstage 2022 on May 6-8 and 11-13. Upchurch is a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., the “African American Anthology of Music” will be offered on the balcony of the Noel Fine Arts Center. Performed by David Deon Stuart and his band, Soul Inspirations, as well as by spoken word artist Chris Norfleet, the event will present the history of African American music from Africa to the present day as well as hopes for the future. The event is open to the public free of charge. Stuart and Norfleet are co-founders of People for The Power of Love and Toward One Wausau Unity Project Naomi, and are activists with the Wausau African American Men’s Alliance.
Two free, public lectures will be offered through Continuing Education. Preregistration is required at www.uwsp.edu/conted under “Personal Enrichment:”
- On Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 6-7 p.m., UW-Stevens Point History Professor Lee Willis will present “The Origins of Black History Month: Carter G. Woodson and the Fight for a More Inclusive History in the 1920s.” It will be offered virtually and on campus.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 22., from 6-7 p.m., UW-Madison Psychology Professor Markus Brauer will present a virtual lecture, “Effective Ways to Reduce Prejudice and Create an Inclusive Climate.”
The following additional events are open to the public:
- Thursday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. Emmitt James, hip-hop artist and UW-Stevens Point alumnus, The Encore, Dreyfus University Center. Admission is $5 or free with a UWSP student I.D.
- Wednesday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m., Rojo Perez, comedian, The Encore, Dreyfus University Center. Admission is $5 or free with a UWSP student I.D.
- Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Unplugged with Carmyn, musician and storyteller, Basement Brewhaus, Dreyfus University Center
- Friday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. The Players Night of Color, Room 221, Noel Fine Arts Center
- Thursday, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m., Coffee and Culture: The History of Hip-Hop and Rap, followed by DJ Lee in concert, The Encore, Dreyfus University Center
University Libraries has a display in the Albertson Hall lobby with books related to the theme “Black Health and Wellness” in celebration of Black History Month. Learn more about these titles at uwsplib.blogspot.com/2022/01/celebrate-black-history-month-black.html.
An annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, Black History Month is a time for recognizing African American’s central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.