Attend a Black History Month Collaborative Event

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2013) — Although a few days into Black History Month activities at the University of Kentucky, many events remain that will enhance the experience for one and all.

Two events are scheduled for Friday evening. First, a BGPSA mixer/social at 5-8 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Student Center Cats Den. Sponsored by the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, the evening features a spades/dominoes tournament with a prize of a $20 gift card per partner. For more information, contact S. Alex Marshall at samars2@uky.edu.

Also, students interested in going to see the highly anticipated movie “Django” with the CATalyst Coalition on Friday, Feb. 8, must register online with UK CATalyst. The movie and dinner are completely free, but all participamts must attend the discussion the following Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 6:30-8 p.m. in 231 Student Center. Students will discuss how "Django Unchained" influenced people differently. Why is the film so controversial? CATalyst would like to know your own perspective on the film. Participants are invited to share their views as the discussion will be facilitated by CATalyst peer educators. To accompany the group, register at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgfSsKRfP0CKdGlGT0pWQlNPU3V3SURlOVFXdzJ1dkE

UK will observe NAACP Week (Feb. 11-15) with movies, informative programming, a mini Mardi Gras celebration and other events. For more information, contact Keahna Akins at keahnaakins@yahoo.com. For details see below.

Daily films are set Feb. 11-15 in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education during the Black Movie Festival. Daily movies will be shown at 11 a.m. with an evening premiere Thursday at 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for the campus community to embrace people of color in films and to examine “the cost.” What is the price paid to be in the media? Is it comedy, is it cool, or is it exploitation? Let your voice be heard!

NAACP Founder’s Day will be observed 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Diversity Education. The campus is invited to help the NAACP celebrate its Founder’s Day by learning more about the programs that the organization has scheduled throughout the week.

At 6 p.m. that same day the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education will celebrate Mardi Gras by sharing the rich history of New Orleans. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday.

One of UK’s most recently honored Great Teachers, associate professor of history Gerald Smith, will discuss "Blacks in Kentucky" at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education. The event is sponsored by the NAACP UK Chapter. Smith will share significant contributions of blacks in Kentucky’s history.

King Café is a long standing program for the MLK Center. It is a unique opportunity created for the campus community to showcase their talents. All poets, singers, and dancers are encouraged to participate. Performers may register in the center and various other locations across campus. The King Café is slated for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education in the Student Center.

A Black History Jeopardy Game, sponsored by the CATalyst Coalition, is scheduled 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, in 363 Student Center. To participate in this game, individuals must create a team of no more than three people. The team must register and pick up study guides for the game in advance in the CATalyst office, 106 Student Center. For more information, contact Annalisa Abell at abab222@uky.edu.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education has created Dream Daze with Amir Windom, a series to encourage students to dream big and to be prepared to achieve even more. The center will use real world examples of success to reaffirm that a student’s professional aspirations are indeed possible. Nationally acclaimed experts and UK alumni, representing a variety of disciplines and professions, will share their journeys and challenges while striving to reach their professional goals. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the center hosts a dialogue with Amir Windom to share his personal philosophy of aiming to be significant vs. successful. The event will be in the William T. Young Library Auditorium at 6 p.m. with a reception immediately following.

Amir Windom is one of the nation’s rising young leaders. In just a few years, Windom has emerged as a leader by asserting his skills in the music industry. Possessing the ability to think outside of the box and having a keen eye for new talent and innovative ideas, he's highly regarded as one of the top music executives of his generation.

At noon Wednesday, Feb 20, in the UK Law Building Elizabeth Jones will lecture on the continuation of the civil rights movement in the "Color Blind Era." The event is hosted by the Black Law Student Association.

The Black Student Union will host a black faculty and student mixer at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education. This is an opportunity for students to network and build relationships with African-American faculty and staff from all over campus.

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth presents “The Role of Race in Lexington” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education. The discussion will focus on what the phrase “post-racial society” means to today’s young people. Refreshments provided.

Black History Month events will conclude with a progressive dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Participants should meet in the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) located on the first floor of the Student Center. The Black Student Union invites the campus to enjoy its third annual progressive dinner. Progress through time, sit back and reflect on history. This year's theme will focus on the civil rights movement, black inventors, and black government. For more information, contact Amber Horn at acho225@g.uky.edu.

A full calendar of events is available at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Diversity Education website.