Tuesday, January 29 – Friday, February 29, 2008

Friday, February 1
Black History Month Opening Ceremonies

7:30pm, Multipurpose Room, Rutgers Student Center , College Avenue Campus

This year's theme, “Words & Sounds/The Black Volume: How the Use of Spoken and Written Words Has Transformed Our Community,” reflects on Ella Baker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Huey Newton, Carter G. Woodson, and other African American contributors to Black history. Come hear members of various black student organizations as they perform recitations, presentations, poetry, and music in their honor. Dinner served; semi-formal attire encouraged. Contact wilson77@echo.rutgers.edu for more information.

Monday, February 4
Our Means of Survival: Black Entrepreneurs

9:00pm, Room 402, Rutgers Student Center , College Avenue Campus

RU NAACP presents Part I of its weekly series for Black History Month: A panel of entrepreneurs discusses their challenges and successes. Bring your questions and your notes. Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.

Monday, February 11
Our Means of Survival: A History of ‘The Black Elite'

9:00pm, Room 402, Rutgers Student Center , College Avenue Campus

RU NAACP presents Part II of its weekly series for Black History Month: Who are the Black elite? Where did they come from? What are their contributions to the African American community? Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.

“Talk to Me”
9:00pm, Trayes Hall, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

The Rutgers University Program Association (RUPA) presents the movie, “Talk to Me,” starring Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene was an outspoken ex-con who talked his way into becoming an iconic radio personality in the 1960's in Washington , D.C. Petey openly courted controversy and used his "tell it like it is" style to give voice and spirit to the black community during a turbulent period. Free popcorn and beverages. Contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com or 732/932-5395 for more information.

Tuesday, February 12
Lecture by Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Jr.

4:30pm, Assembly Room, Winants Hall, College Avenue Campus

The Center for African Studies presents Reverend Howard, chair of the Board of Governors for 2007-2008, speaking about his term as president of the American Committee on Africa and other Africa-related experiences. Contact rdelance@rci.rutgers.edu or 732/445-6638 for details.

Black Women in the Workplace

6:00 – 7:30pm, Meeting Room B, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

The Douglass Black Students' Congress (DBSC) and Office of Career Services give practical tips on how to survive – and succeed – in today's competitive workplace. Free refreshments. Contact eabutler@eden.rutgers.edu for details. 

Lecture with Prince Cedza Dlamini from South Africa

8:00pm, Multipurpose Room, Busch Campus Center , Busch Campus

The Rutgers University Program Association (RUPA) presents “Ubuntu: Interconnectedness and Conflict Resolution: Lecture with Prince Cedza Dlamini from South Africa .”Ubuntu is a South African value system based on compassion, respect, integrity and tolerance of others. Prince Cedza provides pragmatic means of conflict resolution on a local, national, and global scale and offers positive alternatives to unproductive and destructive lifestyles. Cedza engages young people in imagining what the world can be and how the future can look if we incorporate communal values. Contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com or call 732/932-5395 for more information.

Wednesday, February 13

Soul Food Buffet Luncheon

11:30am – 1:30pm, Douglass Café, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

Enjoy a delicious buffet of soul food at $9.00 per person. Contact ltenore@rci.rutgers.edu for details.

Saturday, February 16
Trip to the “Blacks in Wax” Museum, Baltimore , Maryland

9:00am, Livingston Student Center

Join the Rutgers University Program Association (RUPA) on a trip to the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, which houses more than 100 wax figures presented in dramatic and historical scenes featuring special lighting, sound effects, and animation. Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Billie Holiday, and many other figures chronicle the history of African people from around the globe. Trip includes a dramatic walk through a replica of a slave ship, complete with Middle Passage history. Tickets go on sale February 1. Contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com or call 732/932-5395 for prices and other details.

Monday, February 18
Dialogue Between Blacks and Jews

8:00pm, Raritan River Lounge, Student Activities Center (SAC), College Avenue Campus

Rutgers Hillel presents, “The Black Jew Dialogues,”a provocative film followed by an intercommunity discussion on race and ethnicity, identity, culture, and heritage. Contact joshuare@eden.rutgers.edu for more information.

Our Means of Survival: What is Black Wall Street ?

9:00pm, Room 402, Rutgers Student Center , College Avenue Campus

RU NAACP presents Part III of its weekly series for Black History Month: The “Black (Negro) Wall Street” was the name given to Greenwood Avenue of North Tulsa , Oklahoma in the early 1900s, where Blacks were only allowed to live, shop, and do business within a 35-square-foot area known as the “Greenwood District.” Although African Americans were restricted in this manner due to racism and segregation, this produced a tremendously prosperous Black business district admired by the entire country. This discussion explores the race riots that led to the destruction of this community in 1921. What can be learned from their successes and challenges? Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.

Thursday, February 21
Black Blood Drive

10:00am – 6:00pm, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Busch Campus

African Americans donate less than five percent of the blood supply in New Jersey . Help the New Jersey Blood Center reach its goal of donating 50 pints of blood for Black History Month. Although a special appeal is being made to the Black community, the New Jersey Blood Center invites any and all to participate in this worthy cause. Contact mjohns12@eden.rutgers.edu for more information.

Poetry for the People

7:30pm, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Busch Campus

Get enlightened; get involved. Verbal Mayhem and the Rutgers University Association of Black Journalists present an evening of poetry inspired by the social and political events that affect us all. Light refreshments served. Contact nhamm@eden.rutgers.edu for details.

Friday, February 22
Dinner, Documentary, and Discussion

5:30pm, Graduate Student Lounge, College Avenue Campus

What do Black men think? Join the Black Men's Collective for a light dinner and a viewing of the film entitled, “What Black Men Think” followed by an in-depth discussion. Co-sponsored by the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Contact mvaden@eden.rutgers.edu for details.

Saturday, February 23
An Evening of Gospel Choirs

7:00pm, Voorhees Chapel, Douglass Campus

Come and enjoy this annual event of soulful gospel music that has taken place for more than 25 years at Rutgers . This year's special guest is the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. Free admission. Contact agillespie@amst.rutgers.edu for details.

Monday, February 25
Our Means of Survival: The Entrepreneur Within

9:00pm, Room 402, Rutgers Student Center , College Avenue Campus

RU NAACP presents the final part of its weekly series for Black History Month: RU NAACP treasurer and Minority Investors Network president Michael Peterson '08 discusses the importance of being economically secure and the proper channels to accomplishing your business goals. Contact kbeaufort@aol.com for details.

Tuesday, February 26
Monthly Black Thoughts Discussion

8:30pm, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

“Every Man for Himself: Are We Responsible for One Another?” Join the Douglass Black Students' Congress (DBSC) for the Black History Month topic of its Black Thoughts discussion series. Light refreshments. Contact acsawyer@eden.rutgers.edu for details.

Wednesday, February 27
Soul Food Buffet Luncheon

11:30am – 1:30pm, Douglass Café, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

Enjoy a delicious buffet of soul food at $9.00 per person. Contact ltenore@rci.rutgers.edu for details.

Local Heroes of Black History

8:30pm, Faculty Dining Room, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

Join the members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as they recognize the local heroes of the Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and Piscataway communities. Contact LarrishaDLove@gmail.com for details.

Thursday, February 28
How Far Have We Come?

8:00pm, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

TWESE: The Organization of African Students and Friends of Africa presents a special program examining the social and economic issues affecting the African community and the progress of that community in modern society. Contact bforson@eden.rutgers.edu for details.

Friday, February 29
Ninth Annual “Jazz ‘ N Java ” Multicultural Poetry Night

8:30pm, NJC Lounge, Douglass Campus Center , Douglass Campus

This month marks nine years that the Douglass Black Students' Congress (DBSC) has hosted one of the most popular multicultural events on campus. Students recite their original works to the tunes of the “Big Rich and Soul7” jazz band. Perform with or without music – the audience will “vibe” with you, no matter what you choose. The room fills up quickly, so come early to get a good seat! All performers must sign up in advance; contact wilson77@rci.rutgers.edu no later than Friday, February 22. This is the only “Jazz ‘ N Java ” this semester, so make plans now to be there!

The university-wide Black History Month Celebration is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Involvement under the Department of Student Life of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey . For more information, contact Cheryl Wilson, Associate Director, Multicultural Student Involvement at wilson77@echo.rutgers.edu or Maurice T. Ingram, Undergraduate Intern, Office of Student Involvement at mingram@eden.rutgers.edu .