Committee Lines Up Events for Black History Month
By Joy Campbell, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Feb. 1–Black History Month will include a chance to listen and dance to “Louisville’s jazz man,” to hear two young, popular choirs from west Louisville and to participate in a health expo following the NAACP’s annual prayer breakfast.
A committee that has been planning the February events has developed enough synergy during the last month that its members want to continue to work together on future cultural events, said Lorna Hollowell, director of cultural diversity for Owensboro Community & Technical College.
“I hope we can go right into Women’s History Month,” Hollowell said. “This has been one of the best committees I’ve worked on since I joined the college.”
The group started its work hoping to pool resources and funding, she said.
“Everyone is talking about budget cuts,” Hollowell said. “We thought if we can come together and collaborate, then we can do more to reach our community.”
Hollowell said current committee members would welcome others who would like to help plan future events.
The Owensboro Multicultural Coalition, so far, comprises representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Owensboro Human Relations Commission, H.L. Neblett Community Center, Diocese of Owensboro Black Catholic Ministers, LaPlaza, Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and its Black Student Union and OCTC and its Multicultural Student Association.
Two corporations, Unilever and Independence Bank, also have helped plan and fund events.
The public kickoff event will be movie night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in KWC’s Rogers Hall with free popcorn provided. The movie hasn’t been announced yet, but it will feature black artists and/or a black theme.
“All That Jazz: A Night on the Town” is planned from 7 until 11 p.m. Feb. 16 at the RiverPark Center. The Ron Jones Quartet will perform, and the evening will feature listening, dancing and a history of jazz.
The entertainment will cost $10 per couple or $6 each person.
Two popular choirs will be featured in “Make a Joyful Noise” at 5 p.m. Feb. 17 in Brescia University’s auditorium.
The third big public celebration is a health expo from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Neblett Center following the NAACP’s annual prayer breakfast.
Hollowell said OCTC will start its Black History Month activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the Advanced Technology Center with Student Fest, a chance for students to meet “the people from our diverse faculty, staff, student organizations and service centers.”
Joy Campbell, 691-7299, jcampbell@messenger-inquirer.com
To Join the Committee …
The Owensboro Multicultural Coalition is continuing to meet and welcomes new members. To join, contact OCTC’s Lorna Hollowell at 686-3784 or Unilever’s Yuvetta Smith at 852-3008.
Black History Month Activities
— Public kickoff. Movie night at Kentucky Wesleyan College, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
— History of the Tuskegee Airmen, presentation by Ron Spriggs, congressional gold medal winner, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Owensboro Community & Technical College.
— “All That Jazz! A Night Out on the Town,” from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 16 at RiverPark Center. Tickets, $10 per couple; $6 each person. The Ron Jones Quartet performing.
— “Make a Joyful Noise,” 5 p.m. Feb. 17 at Brescia University, auditorium; west Louisville boys and girls choirs with Daniel Bluitt.
— “We’re All the Same on the Inside,” health expo, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the H.L. Neblett Center following the NAACP’s annual prayer breakfast.
— Owensboro Community Men’s Mass Choir concert, 3 p.m. Feb. 24, Neblett Center. Rehearsals still in progress; contact Larry Owen, 686-6466 or McCellus Mays, 302-6131.
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