LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Community College is set to celebrate Black History Month with an array of special events. This year’s theme, “Black Migration,” highlights the exodus of over five million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and Western states between 1916 and 1970. The mass movement was birthed out of a desire to escape oppressive economic conditions and the promise of greater prosperity in the north.
The celebration gets under way with the annual Black History Month jazz concert at Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave., downtown Lansing 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 when the LCC Faculty Jazz Quartet take the stage.
The quartet is comprised of LCC faculty members Mike Daniels on drums, Ed Fedewa on bass, Jon Gewirt on saxophone, and Dennis Therrian on piano. The concert will celebrate the legendary saxophonist and composer, John Coltrane considered by many as the most influential jazz musician of the late 20th century.
The event is FREE and open to the public and begins the celebration of more than a dozen events throughout the spring including:
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community Health Fair; local organizations will offer free educational resources and demonstrations regarding health and wellness, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. 2nd Floor, downtown Lansing.
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Black Business Expo, highlighting a variety of black Michigan entrepreneurs, Gannon Building, 2nd Floor, downtown Lansing.
Thursday, Feb. 14, 10:10 a.m. – noon, Cornel West presentation featuring LCC professor, Paul Jurczak facilitating a discussion about the philosophy of Dr. Cornel West, LCC Technology & Learning Center (TLC)
400 N. Capitol Ave. 3rd Floor, downtown Lansing.
Tuesday, Feb. 19, noon - Dart Auditorium will come alive with a recital by Kisma Jordan, the award-winning singer who the New York Times described as a “shimmering soprano voice.” A discussion will follow the treat of classical voice integrated with operatic and soulful sounds.
Thursday, Feb. 21, 6-8 p.m. Malcolm X Symposium featuring LCC professor, Dr. Willie Davis facilitating a discussion about black migrations from the Underground Railroad, the Great Migration and the new Great Migration, Michigan Room, 411 N. Grand Ave. 1st Floor of the Gannon Building.
Learning Circle Film Series discussion of the movie, “Time: The Kalief Browder Story.”
Feb. 4 & 25; March 6 & 18; April 3 & 17 12:10 – 2 p.m. Gannon Building, Room 2214, 2nd Floor – Attendees will view the movie and participate in discussions about legal literacy, the prison system, the legislation process, mental health and incarceration, and the effects of the prison system on the family. Participants will also have an opportunity to write a “Dear Kalief” letter.
Tuesday, March 19 10 a.m. – noon and Wednesday, March 20, 2-4 p.m. Creating Poetry/Creative Resistance, Gannon Building, Room 2214, 2nd Floor. This event will explore poetry as an art form and its history of giving voice to resistance, from contemporary to Harlem Renaissance poetry. Participants will also create their own community generated poetry through group activities, no poetry writing experience necessary.
Black History Month is a time to reflect, recognize, and honor the valuable contributions African Americans have made to our nation.
We invite the community to celebrate with us.
All events are FREE.
For more information visit lcc.edu/BHM.
