Lectures, Performances Highlight Black History Month at Allegheny College

Allegheny College Associate Professor of English and Black Studies Valerie Sweeney Prince will present a lecture on “Waterbearer,” a piece of historical fiction written by Prince that examines what it means for African American women to do laundry, as part of Allegheny College’s celebration of Black History Month.

The Thursday, Feb. 9 lecture starts at 7 p.m. in Arter Little Theatre and immediately will be followed by a dramatic reading of an excerpt from “Waterbearer” performed by students and directed by Beth Watkins, professor of Communication Arts/Theatre and managing director of the Playshop Theatre. Both events are free and open to the public.

Other events organized by the Allegheny College Association for the Advancement of Black Culture to celebrate Black History Month include:

  • Poet Afaa Michael Weaver will speak on the subject of labor, poetry and Tai Chi on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 105C of the Odd Fellows building.  Weaver also will read from his work at 7 p.m. in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center as part of the college’s Single Voice Reading Series. Weaver’s visit is supported by the Black Studies program, the Year of Mindfulness, the John C. Sturtevant Memorial Lectureship, the William Preston Beazell Memorial Fund and the Single Voice Reading Series.
  • A Soul Food Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. in Shultz Banquet Hall. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in the lobby of the Henderson Campus Center (preferred) Monday through Friday from 11 a.m, to 1 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
  • Black History Month Church Night on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Ford Chapel with Pastor Markus A. McDaniel, I of United Faith Fellowship Church of God and Pastor Carl Terry of Bethel AME Church.

For more information, contact the Allegheny College Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (IDEAS) Center at (814) 332- 2718.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research