Clark State College will celebrate Black History Month this February with in-person and virtual opportunities for students and the community.

“This year we will have a variation of events that are both in-person and virtual,” said Tabitha Parker, associate professor of arts and science at Clark State. “We'd still like to keep our community and college members safe amidst the pandemic, while also allowing for options to meet in smaller groups when we can.”

The highlight event for this February is the Virtual Paint and Sip with artist Zuri Cole at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 17. Clark State will provide all painting materials, including a pre-sketched canvas, to be ready to paint along with Cole in a location of a participant's choosing.

This event’s theme and artistic renderings focus on holistic wellness, including identity, heritage, culture, and mental health within the realms of art and storytelling. The goal is to not only honor Black History Month, but also strengthen connections to heritage, health, creativity, and wellness.

Zuri Ali-Cole is a mother, wife and mixed media artist, with a heightened focus in acrylic figure painting. The Dayton, Ohio native currently resides in The Greater Cincinnati area with her husband and children. Zuri has always had a passion for the arts and discovering new ways to create works reflective of her journey as a young mother and woman of color. Storytelling through both her written and painted works are how she best connects with her audience. Transparency and authenticity are the intentions that guide the artist's process. The painted figures and portraits in Zuri's work are often abstracted and vibrant in hue paired with energetic brush strokes. She often shares the sentiment that "art is for everyone." 

The Virtual Paint and Sip is sponsored by The Springfield Foundation and Clark State College, and partnered with Mercy Health. Registration is required for this event is limited and closes February 6. Register at: https://clarkstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrduGsqjsuHdfvWYF-fMzjxb5OQtWp7cGa

Clark State will also offer an array of activities focused on literature, dance/music, and mental health, including a virtual African American Read-In event from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 24. Readers are encouraged to choose any text by an African American author or author of African descent.  Spend the month of February reading the selected text and then share their reading experience at the read-in.

The event is identified as a “read-in” rather than a “read-out” to honor the Greensboro sit-ins during 1960’s civil rights protest.

Participants can join the read-in online at: https://clarkstate.zoom.us/my/tabitha.parker?pwd=a2VzRGxhVEkvb1JsM1ZJTDlGK3lEdz09

Or by calling in: +1-646-558-8656 PIN: 375 471 1228

“All frames of celebration are important here when honoring Black History Month, for we know that Black history is a shared history,” said Parker. “Each February grants the space to slow down and recognize how far we've come as a nation to creating a freer, more dignified society, while also acknowledging the vital work that must continue.”

Parker said Clark State College is committed to continuing this important work and is grateful to the community for their continued support and collaboration.