Event Desciptions
Black History Month prides itself in providing quality programming for the university and Gainesville community that is mostly free and open to the public. Below is the complete list of Black History Month 2010 events.
Monday, February 1
Opening Ceremonies
Rion Ballroom, 8pm
Opening Cermonies serves as the official commencement of Black History Month 2010, “A Love Story.” Semi-formal attire is strongly encouraged.
Tuesday, February 2
Rudy Currence
Orange and Brew, 7pm
Rudy Currence is a powerful, unique voice in today’s music scene. His soulful lyrics accompanied by several instruments including the keyboard and guitar will be a classic touch to “A Love Story”. Come out to Orange and Brew to be charmed by this amazing R&B/Soul artist.
Wednesday, February 3
Weeks of Change
Ann Arbor House Battered Women’s Shelter, 3pm
Description: Weeks of Change supports Gainesville non-profit organizations. On this week volunteers will help with cleaning and upkeep of the accommodations available to the 30 female residents of Ann Arbor House. Co-sponsored by Progressive Black Men and NSBE
Wednesday, February 3
Alum Nights
Presidents’ House, 7-8:30pm
Description: Alum Nights is co-sponsored by the Florida Cicerones and the Association of Black Alumni. Open to non-Student Alumni Association members, this event will be great for networking with University of Florida alumni. Sign-up to reserve your attendance at this event will be made available on the Florida Cicerones Web site.
Thursday, February 4
Sophistication is … Loving your Ego
La Casita (Men) and Institute of Black Culture (Women), 6-9pm
Description: The purpose of this event is to provide a day of relaxation to the student population with free services, free food, and giveaways. Men will be pampered with massages, free haircuts, and a spades tournament. Women will have free massages, hair consultations, eye-brow waxing, and manicures.
Thursday, February 4
I am Human Before I am Black
TBA
This forum, sponsored by Progressive Black Men, will serve to eradicate such attitudes within the black community and encourage amiability and diversity with other communities. The "I'm Human before I'm Black" educational seminar intends to dispel afro-ethnocentricity and develop the themes of holism and cultural relativism.
Friday, February 5
University Gospel Choir & SGP present GOSPEL EXTAVAGANZA 2010
Curtis M. Phillips Center, 6pm
In this event of worship through song, the University Gospel Choir will join with SGP to bring one of largest gospel concerts in the Gainesville area in 5 years. The featured artist for this event is former Grammy Award nominee and Stellar Award winner Ricky Dillard, leader of the New Generation Chorale. On this evening, the choir and Dillard will come together to lift the praises up.
Friday, February 5 – Saturday, February 6
GatorNights! Movie: “This Is It”
Reitz Union
GatorNights! is the leading late night program in the Southeast and takes place every Friday night during the Fall, Spring, and Summer B semesters. For this special weekend in February, GatorNights! will be presenting “This Is It”, the box-office film dedicated in 2009 to Michael Jackson. Visit union.ufl.edu/gatornights/ to view showing times.
Saturday, February 6
Black Student Leadership Conference
Usler Hall, 9am – 4pm
The Institute of Black Culture presents the 8th James E. Scott Annual Black Student Leadership Conference 'The Road Less Traveled'. This conference is a leadership encounter where simulations, discussion, and presentations offer an avenue for students to build relationships with other campus leaders, examine their own personal leadership skills, ignite activism in their respected community, and provide a framework to pursue social change within one's self and community.
Monday, February 8
ACCENT Speaker: Hill Harper
Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, 7pm
Hill Harper is an accomplished film, television and stage actor. He has starred in the hit CBS drama series, CSI: NY. He will be coming to the University of Florida as a part of the ACCENT Speaker Series. He will have a book signing of his book “The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships.”
Tuesday, February 9
First Annual Great Gator Debaters
Reitz Union Rion Ballroom, 7pm
The Great Gator Debaters is the first event of its kind at the University of Florida. Twenty teams will compete for $200 and bragging rights on February 7 and 9th. They will be debating topics ranging from educational reform to minority issues. This will be an event to remember.
Wednesday, February 10
POETRY NIGHTS Tangible Love: The Love Culture
Orange and Brew, 6:40pm
Description: Tangible Love: The Love of Culture will showcase the power of the spoken word through the art of poetry with talented troupes, acts, and a special guest artist in hopes of entertaining and exposing students to various talents from the Gainesville area. An open mic session will be available. Co-Sponsored by Poets, Inc. and RUB
Wednesday, February 10
U vs. Them Forum
NEB 101, 7pm
The topic of the “Us Vs. Them” interactive forum includes the disconnect African-Americans (and even black Caribbeans) feel toward Africa as a result of the African Diaspora. The forum will discuss how this disconnect affects the everyday life of black Americans today and attendees will have the chance to talk about what they identify with, learn about other black cultures and taste different cultural dishes.
Sponsored by African Student Union
Thursday, February 11
Meet the Black Gator Legends
Campus-wide, 9:30a-2p
Description: This event, co-sponsored by the Oral History Club, is meant to educate students about the history of black student identity at the University of Florida. Poster sized landmarks will be placed around campus at Turlington Plaza, Reitz Union Colonnade, North Lawn, and Plaza of the Americas. Brief stories about featured alumni, their obstacles, and their accomplishments will be displayed.
Thursday, February 11
NAACP Forum
TBA
Friday, February 12
The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant
Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, 7pm
The purpose of The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant is to honor and appreciate the minority women on the University of Florida campus that best exhibit the qualities of service, scholarship, and love for all mankind. The Extraordinary Gentlemen of the Theta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, will be hosting their 28th Annual Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant. Contestants will also compete for a chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship money.
Saturday, February 13
Kids Day
NorthWest Boys and Girl Club, 11am – 3pm
Kids Day carnival is an event that is catered to the youth community of Gainesville. The event will have fun games such as tug-of-war, bucket toss, sack races and other events for children to compete and win prizes. There will be free food, live entertainment, and a bounce house for everyone to enjoy.
Saturday, February 13
UF Who’s Got Talent?
Reitz Union Rion Ballroom, 7pm
The talent show will exhibit the best-of-the-best in unique talents around campus. Come out to support you fellow Gators as they compete for the title. Co-Sponsored by Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. and SG Multicultural Affairs
Monday, February 15
Breaking the Silence
Anderson Hall Room 34, 7pm
"Breaking the Silence: The Realities of a Forgotten War" will touch on the effects of conflict minerals used to make our cell phones, jewelery and iPods, for example, and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn through skits, videos and activities about what is going on with Black people overseas and how you can help them.
Sponsored by Human.I.T.Y.
Tuesday, February 16
Sophistication Is … Health Fair
Reitz Union Colonnade, 10am-2pm
Description: During this event students on campus will be given a holistic view of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. After visiting the stations dedicated to HIV/AID awareness students will be asked to take a pledge to knowing their status and educating others.
Tuesday, February 16
GAME NIGHT In Love with the Fast Life: BHM Taboo Rendition
Orange and Brew, 7-9pm
Description: In this battle of the sexes showdown, two teams will compete against each other in a game of BHM Taboo. A team member will pick a theme and have to draw it, define it, or act it out in hopes that their teammates will be able to guess what theme it is.
Wednesday, February 17
Weeks of Change: Board Game Extravaganza
NorthWest Boys and Girls Club, 2pm-4:15pm
Description: Weeks of Change supports Gainesville non-profit organizations. The Board Game Extravaganza is an afternoon full of fun and games for elementary-aged kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Gainesville. Co-Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Gamma Sigma Sigma.
Wednesday, February 17
ACCENT Speaker and SGP: John Legend
Stephen C. O’Connell Center, 7pm
Grammy Award winning artist, John Legend will be coming through the O’Dome with a riveting speech and his top-charting hits. His melodic sounds from the piano to his soothing lyrics have captured our ears in songs like “Ordinary People”, “Used to Love U” and “Green Light.” This will be a once in a lifetime event
Thursday, February 18
FISS Future Fair
TBA
One of the persistent problems plaguing Gainesville’s youth is the lack of knowledge, understanding, and interest in higher education. Because of this the 21st Annual Florida Invitational Step Show (FISS) Committee has created a college and career fair, known as Future Fair. This event is designed to educate parents, high school students and college freshman on the many aspects of life after high school.
Thursday, February 18
College to Career Workshop
Emerson Alumni Hall, 6p-8:30p
Hosted by Stephanie Pollard and minority faculty members, this conference is meant to develop students for life after college. The conference will focus on teaching students how to read and understand job descriptions, illustrate opportunities of creativity in the position he/she currently has, and discuss beneficial job search sites. The conference will be a great way for students to network and gain personal advice in their career field.
Friday, February 19
Fashion X-Clusive
Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, 7pm
Fashion X-Clusive, sponsored by the Black Student Union, is the largest runway production to take place on the University of Florida campus. Annually, it attracts a crowd of 1,000 while showcasing the creative skills of some of the most talented UF students. In 2009 - 2010, we look forward to welcoming new members into the Fashion X-Clusive family while creating a show that is sure to dazzle all in attendance.
Saturday, February 20
Greek Fest
North Lawn, 1p-5p
Don’t let your FISS afternoon go to waste, spend it at the official FISS tailgate! There will be plenty of fun, friends, food, music, performances and giveaways. See who runs the yard at the University of Florida with annual NPHC Stroll Competition.
Saturday, February 20
Florida Invitational Step Show
Stephen O’Connell Center, 7pm
One of the largest student-run step show productions in the southeast, the 21st Annual Florida Invitational Step Show, is a step competition between the nine organizations that make up the National Pan Hellenic Council. Watch the competitors from around the nation compete for the grand prize and year’s worth of bragging right. Let us not forget the celebrity host, DJs, performances, and after-parties. Remember, “There Can Only Be One.” Visit gotfiss.com for ticket information.
Sunday, February 21
Unity Project: Oratorical Competition
Pugh Hall, 3-5pm
Description: Black History Month’s Oratorical competition is a scholarship competition for college bound high school students. With the help of college mentoring partners, the high school-aged students will prepare and present their speeches in the oratorical competition.
Monday, February 22
BINGO Night
Orange and Brew, 7pm
Play BINGO for a chance to win up-to-$500 worth of prizes.
Tuesday, February 23
Black Male Extravaganza
Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, 7pm
In the fall of 1992, a man had a vision to assemble all men greatness, power, and excellence into one place. With the purpose of presenting their talents and energies to the world Black Male Extravaganza was created. This is an event of dance, drama and song of great University of Florida gentlemen expressing their talents to inspire, uplift, enlighten, and educate. Co-sponsored by the Zeta Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Wednesday, February 24
In an Ivy League of Her Own: An Evening with Harvard’s First Female MBA
Emerson Alumni Hall, 7pm
Get to know Lillian Langford Lambent, the first female MBA to graduate from Harvard University. Co-Sponsored by Nona Jones the founder of SistersSpace.com and a University of Florida graduate, this event will put you face-to-face with leadership and legacy.
Thursday, February 25
AKA Book Klub: “The Conversation”
TBA, 7pm
The Illustrious ladies of the Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated invites you to join The Conversation: an honest dialogue about the breakdown of African-American relationships. In this installment we will be reading “The Conversation” by Hill Harper, and discussing the dynamic of the African-American family and how its strong legacy is in peril.
Friday, February 26
BHM Comedy Show
Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, 7pm
Laughter is the best medicine. Black History Month has plenty to go around at it’s Comedy Show!
Saturday, February 27
Project Make-Over
Sunday, February 28
Closing Ceremonies
Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
Closing ceremonies celebrates “A Love Story” and its final chapter. It reviews the month’s events. Come out to celebrate Black History Month 2010 and congratulate the legacy of Black History.
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