Clark State Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a February calendar full of events and opportunities for students and the community.
“Clark State is happy to celebrate Black History Month by recognizing the achievements of African Americans throughout history with activities and events for staff, students and the community,” said Theresa Felder, vice president of student affairs and Greene Center operations for Clark State.
To start the month, Clark State will escort students from the Clark State STEM programs, Champion City Scholars and Project Jericho to the movie theater for a screening of Hidden Figures on February 1. Chakeres Theaters sponsored the tickets, and the Springfield Chapter of Links donated funds for refreshments.
“Hidden Figures captures the story of three intelligent and determined women who faced tremendous adversities,” said Kanesha Hall, STEM program manager for Clark State. “We hope that this outing will help embolden the girls to tackle adversity and perhaps be inspired to pursue STEM careers.”
The Central State Choir will perform on February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clark State Performing Arts Center in downtown Springfield. Tickets are available at the Box Office for no charge. This marks the fourth year the choir has performed at the Clark State Performing Arts Center in honor of Black History Month.
“The leadership at Clark State and Central State is committed to providing pathways and partnerships that benefit student success, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “The performance by the Central State Choir truly embodies the spirit of our collaboration.”
Advocare Health and Wellness Advisor James Keys will provide a career talk, particularly to inspire African American men toward college completion and successful careers. “It’s my passion to help people realize their full potential and take their confidence to a new level,” Keys said in his biography statement.
Keys also currently teaches at Northmont City Schools in Clayton, Ohio. He will present at the Clark State campus on Leffel Lane in Springfield on February 9 at 11:30 a.m.; and at the Clark State campus in Beavercreek on February 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Clark State will close Black History Month with a combined dinner event with Springfield Regional Medical Center at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 23. The dinner will replace the annual Soul Food event.
“The event will remain free to the community,” said Felder. “The theme is ‘Health in the Black Community’ and will feature local minority physicians for a panel discussion.”
Tickets are free of charge, but must be reserved in advance by contacting Tracy Yates at (937) 328-6066 or yatest@clarkstate.edu.
Additional Black History Events Include:
The Clark State Library Facebook page will feature a weekly Black History Quiz for the month of February. The quiz will also be delivered via e-mail to the Clark State community.
A Black History month display will be highlighted in the Library as well as a “Blind Date with a Book” contest, which will feature an eclectic ensemble of African American and non-African American books.
A Black History Knowledge Hunt for students will run February 6 - 10. Students will learn Black History facts while exploring various offices and services around campus. There will be a drawing for a prize for students who participate.
A viewing of IAm a Man, a documentary that explores what it means to be an African American man living in America, will be held at 5:30 p.m., February 8 in Applied Science Center, Room 125 on the Leffel Lane campus in Springfield and at 5:30 p.m., February 22 in Room 119 of the Beavercreek campus.
A viewing of The Harlem Renaissance, a documentary that examines the Harlem renaissance through music that defined the era, will be held at 5:30 p.m., February 8, in Room 119 on the Beavercreek campus and at 5:30 p.m., February 22 in Applied Science Center, Room 125 of the Leffel Lane campus in Springfield.
Clark State will host a “Silent Party” in the Rafinski Student Center on February 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. “DJ Chill (Chris Chilton) will have headphones available for any student who would like to listen to music, while also viewing historical Black History facts on a monitor,” said Felder.
The traditional Bid Whist Tournament will be held at 11:30 a.m., February 23 in the Seminar Room on the fourth floor of the Brinkman Educational Center.
Project Woman's campus advocate Olivia Montgomery will present “African American Women and Their Unique Celebrations and Challenges Through History” at 12 p.m., February 28 in the Sara T. Landess Technology and Learning Center, Room 111 on Clark State’s Leffel Lane campus.