(BLACK PR WIRE) MIAMI GARDENS, FL (JANUARY 17, 2011) – Black History Month is almost here – the special time of year when we celebrate our culture, history and legacy. In recognition of this momentous occasion, the Black History Month Committee at Florida Memorial University has announced its campus event calendar for the month of February. As is tradition, the Committee will continue offering Florida Memorial students and the community at large an opportunity to enjoy film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, stage readings, concerts, spiritual worship services, and much more.

Activities abound during this month-long celebration. Students and the South Florida community will be introduced to Dr. Henry Lewis III, Florida Memorial University’s new president, and will have the opportunity to welcome him to the university’s family. Other highlights include the Black Pioneers participating in Aviation Day; the Homecoming Greek Step Show and Concert, the Contextualizing Black Europe Film, Photo Exhibition & Discussion, and the Alafia: Food Festival Closing Ceremony. FMU will also be awarding students with prizes for the poster competition.

“Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of notable African-Americans,” said Keshia Abraham, Ph.D., chairperson of the University’s Black History Month Committee. “It’s a time to reflect on our rich history, strong legacy, and consistent talent. It is through our Black History Month celebrations that we encourage renewed awareness, understanding, admiration for our great university,” she continued.

Though most of the campus events are free of charge, donations for the African Diaspora Scholarship Fund are accepted at each event. For more information on Black History Month events scheduled at Florida Memorial University, please visit www.fmuniv.edu. Keshia Abraham, Ph.D. can be reached at (305) 626-3157 or keshia.abraham@fmuniv.edu to answer any questions pertaining to the schedule. 

About Florida Memorial University:
Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution offering 41 undergraduate degree programs and 4 graduate degree programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1879, the University has upheld a commitment to providing a solid foundation for thousands of young people and opening doors to educational opportunities that may have otherwise been closed to them. As South Florida’s only historically Black University, it is widely recognized for being the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and the home of Barrington Irving, Jr., the first and youngest pilot of African descent to fly solo around the world. For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (305) 626-3624.

Here are some of the featured events Florida Memorial has lined up for Black History Month:


Tuesday, February 1, 2011
KICK-OFF RECEPTION
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Wednesday, February 2, 2011
FILM SERIES BEGINS: "EMPEROR JONES"
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Thursday, February 3, 2011
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION: AIDS IN THE BLACK WORLD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

Friday, February 4, 2011
BLACK ARCHIVES PRESENTATION
Time: 12:00 PM -1:00 PM
Location: FIU/FMU Auditorium

Saturday, February 5 – Sunday, February 13, 2011
HOMECOMING PARADE
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 183rd – 42nd Avenue

Sunday, February 6, 2011
HOMECOMING COMMUNITY STUDENT WORSHIP SERVICE
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: TBD

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
HOMECOMING PROSPECT YARD SHOW
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: TBD

PAGEANT
Time: 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Location: TBD

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
HOMECOMING UNITY PRAYER
FASHION SHOW
VOTING
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

Thursday, February 10, 2011
CULTURAL PRIDE EXTRAVAGANZA
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: TBD

Friday, February 11, 2011
BLACK PIONEERS IN AVIATION
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Lehman Auditorium

Tuesday, February 15, 2011
COMMUNITY SERVICE DONATION DAY

Friday, February 18 – Saturday, February 19, 2011
MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Time: TBD
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Tuesday, February 22, 2011
STAGED READING
BY DRAMA STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts
Poster entries submitted by 5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
OSCAR MICHEAUX FILM
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
FILM, PHOTO EXHIBITION & DISCUSSION: CONTEXTUALIZING BLACK EUROPE
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Thursday, February 24 – Friday, February 25, 2011
STUDY ABROAD CONFERENCE
Time: TBD
Location: Smith Conference Center

Friday, February 25, 2011
ALAFIA!: FOOD FESTIVAL CLOSING CEREMONY
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: TBD

Saturday, February 26, 2011
CHILDREN’S DAY
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Tuesday, March 1, 2011
AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Time: TBD
Location: TBD