City of Bloomington Events Kick Off Black History Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2009

For more information, please contact: Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe and Civil City Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3560
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, [lopezd@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:lopezd@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN - To celebrate February as Black History Month, the City of Bloomington is hosting a series of events throughout the community. The theme for this year's commemoration is Black History Month-Bloomington Style: A Celebration.

The month-long celebration will begin at City Hall with a Black History Fair on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 PM. The fair will include activities for visitors of all ages, including a presentation celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records by Dr. Charles Sykes, Director of the African American Arts Institute at Indiana University; a presentation by the Monroe County History Museum for children; storytelling by local actor I. James Torry; historical information sessions about role of black fraternities and sororities; and discussions about scholarship opportunities and college preparation. The fair is open to the entire community and free of charge. Refreshments will be served.

The City also will host a panel discussion entitled, "The State of the Black Community in Bloomington and Beyond," which will take place at the City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. Panelists include Gregory K. Scott of Ivy Tech Community College, Quincy Stewart of the IU Department of Sociology, Elder Anne Henning Byfield of the African Methodist Episcopal Church South District, Stephanie Davis, IU SPEA graduate student, and Dr. Stephanie Carter of the IU School of Education. Beverly Smith of the Monroe County Community School System will facilitate.

On Thursday, Feb. 19, authors Audrey McCluskey, John McCluskey, Robert Jackson and Tajuana Butler will discuss their recent publications during an Author Talk Back. The authors will be available to sign copies of their books following their presentation. The location of this event will be announced at a later date.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, the City will host the Black History Month Gala, which will take place at the Monroe County Convention Center. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Sunrise Box Office or the City's Community and Family Resource Department, 401 N. Morton Street, Suite 260.

A complete list of community-wide Black History Month activities is available at [bloomington.in.gov/safe|http://bloomington.in.gov/safe] or via Beverly Calender-Anderson, City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director, at 349-3560 or [safeandcivil@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:safeandcivil@bloomington.in.gov].

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