Owens Celebrates Black History Month With Events in February
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events and activities highlighting and honoring the role and impact of African Americans throughout this country’s history. The public is encouraged to join the campus community for guest speakers and educational awareness programs.
All events and activities, which are free and open to the public, will occur on the College’s Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township, while the Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.
“Owens Community College is proud to celebrate Black History Month by honoring and recognizing the many achievements and contributions black Americans have made to shape and define our country,” said Chris Giordano, Owens Dean of Student Life. “I encourage area residents to engage themselves in Owens’ various events surrounding Black History Month and draw inspiration from their important messages.”
Owens activities occurring during Black History Month include:
Monday, Feb. 7
Black History and Culture Discussion With Ohio Sen. Edna Brown
Ohio Sen. Edna Brown will provide attendees with insight into the past, present and future of diversity in America based on her own personal accounts. Brown was elected to serve Toledo and Ohio’s 11th Senate District in November 2010. She comes from the Ohio House of Representatives, where she represented Ohio’s 48th House District. Since her arrival in the General Assembly, Brown has worked tirelessly on issues of voting rights, health, violence against women and economic development.
(10 a.m.) (Toledo-area Campus Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 127-128)
(12 p.m.) (Findlay-area Campus Conference Center Room 111)
Tuesday, Feb. 8
“Ballou” Documentary Film Screening and Discussion
Area residents are invited to view a film screening of “Ballou”. The 86-minute documentary provides insight into the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band from Washington, D.C. and their journey from band camp to the National High Stepping Marching Band Competition in Birmingham, Ala. Throughout their journey, the marching band had to overcome many obstacles highlighted by a negative community environment filled with guns, drugs and violence to reach their goals. Undeterred by the negativity, the group, led by marching band director Darrell Watson, was able to uplift the community with their music and positive attitudes and eventually became an award-winning marching band. The film screening will be followed with an open discussion with marching band director Darrell Watson.
(2 p.m.) (Toledo-area Campus College Hall Room 100)
Wednesday, Feb. 9
“Ballou” Documentary Film Screening and Discussion
Area residents are invited to view a film screening of “Ballou”. The 86-minute documentary provides insight into the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band from Washington, D.C. and their journey from band camp to the National High Stepping Marching Band Competition in Birmingham, Ala. Throughout their journey, the marching band had to overcome many obstacles highlighted by a negative community environment filled with guns, drugs and violence to reach their goals. Undeterred by the negativity, the group, led by band director Darrell Watson, was able to uplift the community with their music and positive attitudes and eventually became an award-winning marching band. The film screening will be followed with an open discussion with marching band director Darrell Watson.
(10 a.m.) (Findlay-area Campus Conference Center Room 111)
Thursday, Feb. 10
“Achieving Success” Lecture Presentation With Toledo Mayor Michael Bell
Toledo Mayor Michael Bell will provide attendees with an inspirational message about overcoming obstacles and achieving success in pursuit of personal goals. During the presentation, Bell will share with the audience his own personal experiences and how they played a significant role in achieving his own success. Bell was elected Mayor of Toledo in January 2010. His career in public service began in 1980 when he joined the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue as Firefighter and later became a certified Paramedic/EMT. In 1990, he was appointed as Chief of the Toledo and Rescue Department. Bell was the first African American as well as the youngest person ever to lead the organization. He remained in that position for over 16 years until he was appointed State Fire Marshal by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007. Bell has served the Northwest Ohio community through countless civic organizations, volunteering his time and serving on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club, The American Red Cross, Bethany House and The American Liver Foundation, among many others. He is a member of the International Fire Chief’s Association and received the President’s Award for his efforts with diversity.
(11 a.m.) (Toledo-area Campus Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 127-128)
Tuesday, Feb. 22
Jazz Performance and Historical Lecture With Galen Abdur-Razzaq
Jazz recording artist Galen Abdur-Razzaq will bring his masterful talents to Owens as part of a jazz performance and lecture. Abdur-Razzaq will be sharing insightful details about his musical background and the history of jazz, as well as a wide selection of his musical favorites. Abdur-Razzaq has performed and presented clinics at various venues, including college and university campuses, worldwide for over 30 years. He is a former student at Berklee College of Music in Boston and is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. An arranger, composer, music director and writer, Abdur-Razzaq has performed with such renowned artists as Billy Taylor, Sonny Phillips, Gwen Guthrie, Eddie Gladden and Clifford Adams, among many others. Abdur-Razzaq is also a regular speaker on jazz and its historical significance.
(10 a.m.) (Findlay-area Campus Education Center Room 111) (Lecture)
(11:30 a.m.) (Findlay-area Campus Commons) (Performance)
Thursday, Feb. 24
College Conjuring – Deception 101 Tour With Ran’D Shine
Awarding-winning performer, producer and educator of magic Ran’D Shine will provide attendees with an amazing display of his magical talents as well as share insight into his life as an artist, teacher and an African-American male. Nationally-acclaimed, Shine is a frequent performer at Monday Night Magic, which is regarded as New York City’s longest running Off-Broadway magic show, and has showcased his talents at Hollywood’s The Magic Castle. Additionally, he has produced several magic shows highlighted by the “Heart and Soul of Magic”, which was the first magic show to feature an all black American cast of magicians. Shine’s performance provides attendees with the opportunity expand their minds and view life from a different perspective specific to diversity.
(12 p.m.) (Toledo-area Campus Student Health and Activities Center)
In addition, Owens’ libraries on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses will display a variety of African-American heritage information as well as feature a selection of books and audio/visual materials related to Black History Month in February.
To celebrate and honor the contributions made by African Americans throughout America’s history, longtime black history advocate Dr. Carter G. Woodson introduced Negro History Week to the country in 1926. Later changed to Black History Week, the observance was extended in 1976 to a month-long celebration occurring in February and renamed Black History Month. For additional information about Owens’ Black History Month activities, call (567) 661-7421 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7421.
Press Release Contact Name: Brad Meyer
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Owens Community College