This week marks the beginning of Temple University’s annual African American Heritage Celebration. This year’s theme is “LEGACIES: Remembering the Past – Securing the Future.” During the next four weeks various activities will celebrate the observance of Black History Month.
“Black Legacies in the Marketplace,” from Feb. 2 through Feb. 6 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Student Center, will be home to a replica of a traditional African trade caravan. The marketplace will acknowledge trade as an early way of life in Africa. Students may choose from a host of products offered by various merchants. Available items include artwork, jewelry, beauty products and clothing.
Next week will celebrate “Black Legacies in Biblical Times.” Temple will focus on the ancient historical and religious sides of Black History Month during the Amazing Facts Seminar. The seminar will be held Feb. 10 in the Student Center, Room 302, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. A group of Biblical scholars will discuss topics such as the great Hyksos dynasty in Egypt, Biblical people of color and black presidents of the United States.
“Black Legacies in Jazz” celebrates the third week as Temple honors John Coltrane and other great jazz musicians at the TraneStop Jazz Town Meeting Feb. 18. Amir Baraka, a famous poet, writer, jazz expert and historian, will serve as the keynote speaker and lecturer for the evening.
TraneStop will present a lecture examining the political, spiritual and cultural side of the 1960s Renaissance Period. A spoken word/musical performance, open forum and book signing session of Baraka’s book “Later Trane” will also be available. Refreshments will be served and admission is $10.
During the fourth week of February a panel discussion on the court case Brown v. Topeka Board of Education will remember “Black Legacies in the Court Room.” The program is dedicated to Thurgood Marshall and will include a distinguished panel of guest speakers, an exhibit and a question/answer segment. The discussion will be held Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Charles Klein Law Building, Moot Court Room.
To end the final week of Black History Month, Temple will host a campus wide Soul Food Luncheon Feb. 27. Students will be able to taste foods that have become legendary at African American dinner tables and restaurants worldwide. Food stations will be set up at various locations through out campus.
Other campus groups such as Black Leaders United will host a Black History event every Tuesday in February from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 307/308. The Russell Conwell Center will have a Black History Game Show Feb. 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Vivacqua Hall, Room 203. The Main Campus Program Board will show a special screening of The Color Purple Feb. 17 through Feb. 19.
For more information on Black History Month events contact the Office of Student Activities at 215-204-7131.
Danean Nixon can be reached at danean.nixon@temple.edu
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