Clark State College will celebrate Black History Month this February with several opportunities for students and the community to participate and learn both in-person and virtually.
“This year we are highlighting various events that are happening internally and externally,” said Breion Hawkins, diversity coordinator at Clark State. “As we get acclimated to having in-person events again, we’re hosting a few activities such as a black history month display, a movie viewing, and roundtable discussion discussing race/diversity.”
Hawkins said the highlight event for this February will be the African-American read-in, hosted by Tabitha Parker, associate professor of arts and science at Clark State.
“During this event, participants will read material - literature, poem, lyrics, etc. - from a Black author/creator of their choice, and express why this specific content shows significance,” Hawkins said.
Clark State will also offer an array of internal and external activities through literature, music, film, and dance focused on Black History Month. The Clark State Library will have a book display throughout February of African-American authors, and an interactive display will be located in the main entrance Rotunda.
Additional Black History Month Celebration events include:
- February 9 | Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz Lincoln Center Ochestra
Hosted by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. This youth education program is an opportunity for Marsalis Wynton, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy recipient, to connect with youth in our community. Clark State is proud to sponsor the space. This concert has already reached capacity by working with schools to invite students. - February 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Allyship in Action (in-person)
A comprehensive educational program to serve and support the LGBTQA+ community. Through skills-based education that focuses on social justice allyship and active bystander intervention skills, resources are identified that provide a network of support for the emotional, psychological, social, and physical well-being of LGBTQA+ communities. Clark State Brinkman Education Center, 100 South Limestone Street, Springfield.
Register Online at https://bit.ly/3XRYTUm - February 19, 3:30 p.m. | Dance, Stomp, Shake | (in-person)
Co-sponsored by Clark State, this dance competition event is geared specifically, but not exclusively, toward black youth and families, celebrating the diversity of creative excellence and expression.
Location: Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Avenue, Springfield.
Tickets available at https://bit.ly/4080KGJ - February 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Movie: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (in-person)
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.
Location: Clark State ASC, Room 125 on Leffel Lane campus in Springfield. - February 25, 7 p.m. | Naturally 7 (in-person) – Presented by Springfield Arts Council
More than a tightly orchestrated collection of a cappella singers, Naturally 7 has coined the phrase “vocal play,” as they transform their voices into actual human instruments, effortlessly producing music of any genre.
Location: Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Avenue, Springfield. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/3Jc8t0k - February 28, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | African American Read-In (in-person)
Location: Applied Science Center (ASC), Room 125, Leffel Lane campus, Springfield.
For more information, contact the Clark State diversity committee co-chairs:
Tabitha Parker; 937.328.6106 or parkert@clarkstate.edu or Roseann Terbay; 937.328.6501 or terbayr@clarkstate.edu