The Office of Religious Life & Multicultural Community Engagement at Presbyterian College invites you to join us for Black History Month. For more information, contact the Rev. Racquel Gill, assistant chaplain in the Office of Religious Life & Multicultural Community Engagement, at rcgill@presby.edu.

Black Hair/Heir Exhibit Opening
Co-Sponsored by Dr. Laura Crary’s African-American Art and Culture Class
Monday, February 3
7 – 8 p.m.
Laurens Hall

A photography and multimedia exhibit that explores the artistic expression of Black Hair in a raw and unapologetic manner. At 7:30 p.m., we will also host “Crown Conversations,” where PC students will talk about the importance of black hair in their own lives. Light refreshments will be served. Open to the public.

Cuisine & Community
Friday, February 7
7 p.m.
Carol International House
Space is Limited – Ten slots available

CIH Kitchen Have you wanted to learn how to create a new dish or test your skills in the kitchen? Join our PC Director of Southern Studies Dr. Kendra Hamilton, aka the “Goddess of Gumbo,” for a lesson on how to prepare delicious gumbo and its history in the lives of Black folk across the African Diaspora. Ten slots available.

To sign up for this interactive cooking class email Rev. Racquel Gill at rcgill@presby.edu by February 4.

#4TheCulture: An Appreciation Day
Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Union
Thursday, February 13

On this day, wear something honoring black culture and black history. From a sweatshirt of your favorite African American musician to a T-shirt of a significant black intellectual, let’s take a day to honor the beauty of black culture through fashion. Remember that honoring a culture does not mean appropriating it. To learn more about the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, please research the internet for more resources. Be sure to stop by our table in GDH and tell us why you do it #4TheCulture. We will be doing a social media takeover so follow @pc_msu_. Open to the public.

Black History Month Convocation: Dr. Paula Ioanide
Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Tuesday, February 18
Kuhne Auditorium, Neville Hall
The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. Convocation starts at 6 p.m.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is pleased to announce the speaker for this year’s Black History Month convocation, Dr. Paula Ioanide, an associate professor of comparative race and ethnicity studies at the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity at Ithaca College. The title of Ioanide’s lecture is: “At the crossroads: American democracy in a time of white nationalist resurgence and ‘alternative facts.’” Open to the public.

Imani: A Celebration of Black Faith
Co-Sponsored By Department of Religion
Wednesday, February 19
7:15 p.m.
Cornelson Lobby

Join us on this night as we hear the beautiful sounds of the Clinton College Gospel Choir, a historically black college in Rock Hill, S.C. joined by the Presbyterian College Choir and hear a message of hope from the Rev. Dustin J. Pickett, campus minister for Diversity at the University of Dayton. We will also install our incoming officers for the Multicultural Student Union and hear dramatic readings commemorating black history. Open to the public.

Harlem Nights: A Flashback to the Harlem Renaissance
Co-Sponsored By Student Activities Board
Friday, February 21
8:30 p.m.
Mabry-Smith-Yonce

With the dawning of the year 2020, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. This period of sophistication and style also showcased the contributions of black writers, artists and musicians. Find a nice fedora or a fashionable fur and join us for a night of fun from poetry to poker as we celebrate this legendary period not only in Black History but American History. A dessert bar will be provided!

Bayard Rustin: LGBTQ Figures in the Civil Rights Movement
Sponsored By Spectrum
Tuesday, February 25
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Laurens Hall

Bayard Rustin has long been one of the forgotten heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. As a key advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rustin served as chief strategist and organizer for the historic March on Washington. Join members of Spectrum in conversation with Professor Will Harris for a conversation on the life and contributions of this leader for civil and human rights.

Lunch will be provided.RSVP to Rev. Racquel Gill at rcgill@presby.edu for lunch.