Focus on Black History Month
February 15, 2008 -
Black History Month at Bloomfield College is a month of events, celebration, and learning about the many contributions of African-American people and culture to the mosaic of American life. During February, the college has several events to foster a greater understanding of these contributions.
On Tuesday, February 5, the Black History Month kickoff event was held in the Westminster Arts Center. "This is a monumental time in history. As we gather tonight to kick off the events for Black History Month, we are watching an African American presidential candidate in a heated contest for his party’s nomination." So said Maria Dyer, director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement as she introduced the evening’s program.
The evening was attended by 50 students, faculty, and staff. After the singing of the Black National Anthem by Desiree Williams Brown and Fredlyne Auguste, Benny Benbow, VP of administrative affairs for the Bloomfield College Student Government, welcomed the guests and explained the purpose of Black History Month. "We are here to pay homage to all those who contributed to our freedoms and our civil rights through the contribution of their lives," he explained. Daniel Ware offered two of his original poems and Fredlyne, along with JaLissa Johnson and Brittany Elliott sang You Can Lean on Me a cappella. Brittany then soloed The Shepherd Song.
Greg Allen, managing director of Westminster, introduced the honored guest for the evening – Malissa "Bisa" Butler. Ms. Butler is a local artist who creates portraits using a quilting process. Her work is currently on display in Westminster Arts Center gallery.
Ms. Butler noted that a friend told her at one time that "you thought the world was too cold, so you needed to create something to make the world warm." Her artwork inspires the audience to reach out and touch the fabric and feel the expression that is contained in the work.
Bisa Butler’s show will be in residence in the Westminster Arts Center gallery until February 29, 2008.
Other events scheduled for the month include Jabali Arika/African dance lessons, Black History Month breakfast, dinner and a movie featuring Mo Betta Blues, a trip to Harlem, NY for sightseeing, and a trip to Baltimore to see the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.
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