Ohio Northern University commemorates Black History Month this February with a number of scheduled events. Several campus organizations will collaborate to provide diverse opportunities to celebrate African-American heritage. Here is the schedule of February’s activities:
Black History Month basketball game “Black Out”
Saturday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. in the ONU Sports Center
Everyone is encouraged to wear black T-shirts to the game to commemorate Black History Month. For all the home games in February, the ONU men’s and women’s basketball teams will wear their road black uniforms to help raise awareness among campus and community supporters.
Black History Month Film Presentation
Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. in the McIntosh Ballroom.
The movie “Deacons for Defense” will be shown on
An Evening with Floyd Keith, executive director of Black Coaches and Administrators
Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the ONU Field House
Floyd Keith, a 1970 ONU graduate, has accumulated 42 years of service and expertise in the sports profession; 23 have been in the capacity of high-level executive management. Floyd is serving his 12th year as the executive director of a national governing body, Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA).
During his tenure, BCA has reinforced its position as the pre-eminent force for the social consciousness of ethnicity in American sports while increasing its membership from 172 to over 5,500. In addition to Keith, Anthony Holman will represent the NCAA. Anthony is a former Division III student-athlete who will share some NCAA perspectives on diversity.
An evening with Marqo Patton, educator and motivational speaker
Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Dicke Forum
Patton, who graduated from Fisk University with honors in 2010, is a Teach for America corps member. He was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers (nominated for a Grammy) and committed two years of his life to teaching through Teach for America, a program designed to improve inner city schools. In 2012, he received the Rising Human Rights Advocate Award, which recognizes young advocates who demonstrate great potential for continuing their work in the field.
Annual Kuumba Festival
Friday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. in the Dicke Atrium.
Patton will serve as master of ceremonies.
“Kuumba” is a word that means “creativity” in Swahili. This annual showcase of talent includes dance, song, poetry, culture and music. The event is all-campus-inclusive and welcomes the creative influence of all ethnic backgrounds and cultures.
Freed Center Theatrical Presentation and Workshop: Warriors Don’t Cry
Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts
Annual Black History Month Fashion Show
Friday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the McIntosh Ballroom
