LBC to sponsor events for Black History Month

The Legion of Black Collegians will sponsor several events.

By Brad Fischer

Published Jan. 30, 2007

To celebrate Black History Month in February, many organizations are holding events both at MU and in the city of Columbia. For MU, the theme this year is "From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas."

The Legion of Black Collegians will sponsor several events during the month, many of which will be in conjunction with the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

LBC President Jabari Turner said it is important to honor the role that African Americans have played in shaping America into what it is today.

"It is important for us to honor our past and recognize the people who struggled just for us to be where we are at now," Turner stated in an e-mail. "If we ignore those things, then we are not really living up to our mission."

The first event of the month is at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Black Culture Center.

Robert Williams, a retired professor at Washington University, is the keynote speaker for the event "And Still We Rose: From the Cotton Shacks to Cadillacs."

UM system President Elson Floyd is scheduled to speak Feb. 5 on the topic "Education: Gateway to Equality" and Rep. Talibdin El-Amin, D-St. Louis, will speak Feb. 9 at the Black Culture Center.

Mid-day discussion forums and luncheons will be held on Feb. 20.

There are also two art exhibitions that will be featured for the entire month.

"Songs of my People" will be housed at Ellis Library and the works of Margaretre Gillespie will be on display at the Black Culture Center.

Columbia Parks and Recreation will hold a Black History Exhibition from Feb. 5-23 at the Armory Sports Complex.

Several musical acts will also perform in Columbia to mark the Black History Month celebration. The Harlem Gospel Choir's performance on Feb. 8 at Jesse Auditorium is one of the highlights.

"This month offers an opportunity to showcase and spotlight many individuals who would be lost otherwise," Turner said.