Celebrate Black History Month with these February events

Miami University hosts several events in celebration of Black History Month. Many of the events are presented by the office of diversity affairs and the Black President’s Caucus. Updated event information is available online. Also check out Miami's events calendar for events on the Oxford and Regional campuses.

Race, Sports, and Social Justice
6 p.m. every Monday
001 Upham Hall

Every Monday, the black world studies program will present its weekly Penny Lecture Series: Race, Sports, and Social Justice.

Akilah Francique

“The Personal is Political: Examining Black Sportswomen’s Contemporary Activist’s Efforts”
6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 11
001 Upham Hall

“The Personal is Political: Examining Black Sportswomen’s Contemporary Activist’s Efforts” will be presented by Akilah Francique, who teaches sports management in the department of health and kinesiology at Texas A&M University. Her most current research focuses on African-American girls and women in sport and physical activity in terms of access and opportunity, mentoring, as well as mediated images and narratives. This talk is part of the black world studies program’s 2019 Penny Lecture Series.

Miami Student Activism Then & Now: Reflections on the Black Student Action Association and Vietnam War protests in 1970
noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14
320 King Library

Explore the history of Larry Clark, a Miami alumnus considered to be one of the leaders of the Black Protest Movement at Miami University. Now an award-winning filmmaker, Clark’s leadership at Miami is examined through lecture and film clips by Dr. Andy Rice, assistant professor of comparative media studies. Also featured are items from the University Archives’ African Americans at Miami University digital collection.

Step Afrika
8:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15
Wilks Theater, Armstrong Student Center

Step Afrika features stepping, an art form where the body is used as an instrument to create rhythms and sounds through combinations of footsteps, claps and the spoken word. Stepping is based on traditions in African-based communities that communicated allegiance to groups through stepping. The event is free with no tickets required. It’s co-hosted by Miami Activities and Programming and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Billy Hawkins

Black History Month Banquet
6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20
Pavilion C, Armstrong Student Center

The third annual Black History Month Banquet will feature keynote speaker Courtney Allen, doctoral student in Miami’s educational leadership program. This year’s theme is “I’m Black and I’m Proud.” The event includes entertainment and dinner. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for general admission. The deadline to purchase tickets is noon Wed. Feb. 13.

“Making America Great Again: Inhibiting the Conversion of Athletic Capital into Political Capital”
6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25
001 Upham Hall

“Making America Great Again: Inhibiting the Conversion of Athletic Capital into Political Capital” will be presented by Billy Hawkins, professor at the University of Houston in the department of health and human performances. Hawkins authored The New Plantation: Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White NCAA Institutions. This talk is part of the black world studies program’s 2019 Penny Lecture Series.