ETSU's Black History Month observance includes wide variety of activities

JOHNSON CITY – A variety of activities, from gospel and bluegrass music and storytelling to film discussion and lectures, are part of this year's Black History Month festivities at East Tennessee State University.

The observance begins Friday, Feb. 1, with a Black History Month Opening Ceremony at 1 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center's Martha Street Culp Auditorium. During this ceremony, a Black History Month proclamation will be presented by Johnson City Mayor Duffie Jones, ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. will speak on the university's observance of Black History Month, and the ETSU Gospel Ensemble will perform. In addition, red, black and green ribbons will be given away.

Other scheduled Black History Month events include:

• A bluegrass and country music mural dedication on Friday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Sherrod Library, followed by a 7 p.m. concert by the ETSU Bluegrass Band and other musicians in the Culp Auditorium. (For more information, go to www.etsu.edu/news/20020018.htm.)
• The Delta Sigma Theta "Crimson and Crème" Pageant on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Culp Auditorium.
• A Bob Marley Birthday Celebration on Monday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Culp Center atrium.
• A Film Discussion on "School Daze" on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Culp Center forum.
• The annual Gospel Extravaganza, featuring the ETSU Gospel Ensemble and other area choirs, on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. in the Culp Auditorium.
• A Storytelling Concert by Allison Smith on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Culp Auditorium. (For more information, go to www.etsu.edu/news/20020019.htm.)
• An Open Mic Night with the theme, "Mahogany Soul," on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Culp Center's Common Grounds Coffeehouse.
• A Multicultural Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 21, from noon-3 p.m. in the Culp Center ballroom.
• A Semiformal Dance on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. in the Culp Center ballroom.
• A lecture, "Living With AIDS: Rae Lewis-Thornton," on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Culp Auditorium. (For more information, go to www.etsu.edu/news/20020020.htm.)

For more information on these events or for special assistance for persons with disabilities, contact the ETSU office of multicultural affairs at (423) 439-4210.