Miami Regionals sponsor black history events

written by Ruth Orth, public relations, Middletown campus

Miami University’s regional campuses are sponsoring a number of events for Black History Month. All are open to the public and many are free.

Feb. 10, Film Presentation: “Dear White People,” noon-1:30 p.m., Miami Hamilton’s Harry T. Wilks Conference Center and Feb. 11, noon-1:30 p.m., Miami Middletown’s Campus Community Center.  In this dramedy, a campus culture war between black and white students at a predominantly white school comes to a head when the staff of a humor magazine stages an offensive Halloween party.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Feb. 21, A Taste of Soul, 6–9 p.m., Miami Hamilton’s Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Enjoy traditional soul food, entertainment and vendors with merchandise, arts and crafts. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (55+) and $5 for children under 12. If interested in being a vendor, call 513-785-3024.

Feb. 15, People Get Ready: Meditations on Freedom Summer: The Voting Rights Act & Freedom, 3 p.m., Miami Middletown’s Dave Finkelman Auditorium. Experience the power and passion behind the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project with local performers for a lively celebration of the fight for justice and equality.  Performances include: Tammy Kernodle, professor of music; Paul Jackson, professor of theatre; Miami University Gospel Singers (MUGS); The Kip Moore Theatre Company; SMAG Dance Collective; and Kiyaa Bowens. Co-sponsored with 3 R Development Inc.

Feb. 25, Sojourn to the Past, noon–1:30 p.m., Rooms 136/137, Miami Middletown’s Campus Community Center and Feb. 26, 6–7:30 p.m., Miami Hamilton’s Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Jeff Steinberg, executive director and founder of Sojourn to the Past, takes audiences on a moving classroom journey of the civil rights movement through various sites in the South.

Feb. 26, A Taste of Soul Food Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Miami Middletown’s Campus Community Center. Enjoy fellowship and traditional soul food. This year’s menu includes fried chicken, fried catfish, collard greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese, candied sweet potatoes, potato salad, cole slaw, red beans and rice, pound cake, sweet potato pie, cornbread, dinner rolls and punch. The public is invited to attend and carryout is available.  Admission is $7.

Feb. 26, Speak Out! A Community Conversation, 6-7:30 p.m., Miami Hamilton Downtown. Join your neighbors to explore three approaches to working towards racial equality in our local and national communities. Discussion and conversations will be moderated and guidelines provided for civil discourse on this important public topic. Join us to speak out and share your thoughts. RSVP by email to muhcce@miamioh.edu or phone at 513-785-3005.