Community Celebrates Black History Month with Second Annual Kickoff Ceremony at City Hall

Community Celebrates Black History Month with Second Annual Kickoff Ceremony at City Hall

Date of Record: January 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2006

For More Information:
Beverly Calender-Anderson, City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director, 349.3560
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington will begin the celebration of Black History Month with the Second Annual "Black History Month - Bloomington Style" kickoff ceremony and reception. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 401 North Morton. 

"February is a time for celebrating both history and the future in this community," Mayor Mark Kruzan said. "This year's celebration is a culmination of events that not only educate us about our nation's history but creates a welcoming community where diversity is valued."

The event will feature addresses by Kruzan and Kevin Brown, Professor of Law and Director of the IU Hudson and Holland Scholars Program; music by Indiana University student Alexis Carter and Batchelor Middle School seventh grader Jimmy Mitchell; informational booths from area organizations and refreshments catered by Affairs of the Sun. Also, the City's Commission on the Status of Black Males will announce its new award for Outstanding Young Black Male of Tomorrow.

"This is a community celebration in the truest sense of the word," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director. "The steering committee members are from a cross-section of our community - local residents, Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College students, professionals, academics and community volunteers - and they have planned so that all segments of our community will find something inspiring and entertaining at the kickoff event and throughout Black History Month."

Other events planned during Black History Month include: Crowns Day: A Celebration of Women and Their Hats at Monroe County Public Library on February 5; Bloomington's Firsts at Banneker Community Center - a tribute to Bloomington's African American Pioneers on February 11 and 18; and the Black History Month Gala at Mayfield's Ballroom on February 25. For a complete list of Black History Month activities, visit [www.bloomington.in.gov/safe/|http://www.bloomington.in.gov/safe/] or contact Calender-Anderson at 349-3560 or [andersb@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:andersb@bloomington.in.gov].

In addition to the City of Bloomington, sponsors of Black History Month - Bloomington Style! include Indiana University Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Ivy Tech Community College, Monroe County Public Library, and the Bloomington Black Business and Professionals Association and Indiana University's Office of the Vice President for Institutional Development and Student Affairs/Academic Support and Diversity.

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