Source: Bronson Blackwell, bronson@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012
Black History Month brings speakers, cultural presentations and more to campus
MANHATTAN -- In honor of the national celebration of Black History Month, Kansas State University's Black Student Union will host several cultural events in February aimed at this year's theme, "Beginning of a Legacy."
The university's Black History Month events and activities provide participants with several educational opportunities regardless of their culture, said Bronson Blackwell, president of the Black Student Union and a senior in finance, Wichita.
"It's beneficial to participate because that is how you truly garner an appreciation for a culture, whether it's your own or not," he said. "Not all African-Americans know everything about their history, so I believe it is a learning experience for everyone. I believe getting involved in different arenas and doing your own research can go a long way."
All Black History Month events are free and open to the public and will be at the K-State Student Union. Events include:
* "Danielle Truitt's Three," 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in Forum Hall. Truitt's one-woman show is a performing arts piece that brings people into the minds of African-American women and sparks conversation about common issues surrounding black women.
* Lecture by guest speaker John Bul Dau, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Union Ballroom.A motivational speaker known as the Lost Boy of Sudan, Dau is a genocide survivor who has traveled across the world recounting his life experiences during the genocide of the minority population in Sudan. Dau is one of 27,000 Lost Boys driven from their villages when the Sudanese government began attacking the ethnic minority population of southern Sudan. Forced to walk to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, he faced starvation, disease and violence on treks across hundreds of miles. In 2001, Dau was one of the many Lost Boys sponsored to live in the United States.
* Greek Switch Day, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in Union Station. An event in conjunction with the Freshmen Action Team, Greek Switch Day is a form of friendly competition between the National Pan-Hellenic Greek sororities and fraternities. Each group selects another member of the Divine Nine, a common nickname for the organization, to imitate. The imitation comes in the forms of singing, dancing, stepping and popular sayings.
* "#Threads," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Union Ballroom. #Threads is a fashion show in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The show is to inspire students to dress fashionably while in a business atmosphere. Through a presentation, attendees will learn that they don't have to be boring just because they are in business attire.
* Taboo Talk, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in Room 212. Taboo Talk is an event that encourages everyone to speak openly and freely about issues pertaining to African-American culture. The atmosphere will be friendly and welcoming to allow students to respectfully address current issues in the community.
In addition to the events offered by Black Student Union, the university's Ebony Theatre will perform two events in honor of Black History Month.
The play "Crumbs From the Table of Joy" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26, all in East Stadium's Purple Masque Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for the general public. They can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or the K-State Student Union box office from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. To order by phone, call 785-532-6428.
Broadway actors Nikki Renee Daniels and Joshua Henry will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in Nichols Theatre. The performance is free and open to the public. "Something Gonna Change: Nikki Renee Daniels and Joshua Henry on Broadway" features Broadway show tunes. Seating is limited and is first-come, first-served. Donations will be accepted and will support Ebony Theatre.
