Parkland College Celebrates Black History Month with Scheduled Events
February 5, 2006
Champaign - Parkland Community College is celebrating Black History Month 2006 with a number of scheduled events. "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Looking Back, Empowering Today" is the theme for Parkland College's Black History Month observance. The college will celebrate African American accomplishment and cultural diversity through various events at its main campus throughout February. The following events are open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 217/351-2492. Visit Parkland online at www.parkland.edu/.
- Black Health Fair
February 2
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gallery Lounge
Health screenings, demonstrations, and information from various vendors will
be available. - Annual Gospel Concert
February 4
7 to 10 p.m.
Parkland College Theatre
Come and enjoy traditional and contemporary gospel praise and worship music. - African-American Read-In
February 6
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parkland College Library
Event includes readers and a live presentation from local West African griot
(genealogical storyteller) Dawn Blackman. Refreshments will be available.
This event is sponsored in conjunction with the Parkland College Library. - Chris Benson Speaks on Emmett Till
February 10
12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Gallery Lounge
Chicago-based writer and lawyer Chris Benson co-authored with Mamie
Till-Mobley on her memoir Death of Innocence: The Hate Crime That Changed
America (Random House, 2003). The late Mrs. Till-Mobley is the mother of
Emmett Till, who was murdered at age 14 in Mississippi during the summer of
1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. - Black History Video Views
February 13 and 27
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Gallery Lounge
Excerpts from selected documentaries capture the African American experience
as revealed through the lens. Brief discussion and refreshments are included. - Black History Live!
February 15
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Flag Lounge
This lively, interactive history competition is popular with students. It
includes prizes and refreshments. - Black History Scramble/Trivia Drawing
February 20
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Flag Lounge
Students will test their knowledge of historical African American figures in
a "Soul Train Scramble"-style format, with music and prizes. Winners also
will be drawn from those students who answered the "Heritage Trivia
Questionnaire" handed out in January. - Annual Soul Food Lunch
February 23
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
South Lounge
Event sponsored by the Black Student Association
Enjoy an excellent array of African American dishes! Tickets are $6 in
advance and $6.50 on the day of the event. - Celebrating 40 Years at Parkland: Black Reflections
February 24
3 to 5 p.m.
Room D244
This engaging panel discussion will offer a historical look into the lives of
African Americans at Parkland, with a vision for the future. Panelists
will include former and current Parkland faculty and students, with an
introduction by President Zelema Harris. A reception will follow.