UH-Clear Lake celebrates Black History Month

Four special presentations in February will help the University of Houston-Clear Lake community celebrate Black History Month. Spearheaded by the university’s Black Students Association, with support from numerous other organizations, one of this year’s events includes bringing more than 300 students and teachers from a local elementary school to the university. All events will be held at the university, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.

“This year we are doing something totally new, and that is to bring the younger community to UH-Clear Lake to ‘experience college’ and a very special black history month program,” says Black Students Association President Joyce Delores Taylor. “We have invited Galena Park Independent School District’s Normandy Crossing Elementary School to our campus to answer an appeal of the Dean of Students, Dr. Anthony Jenkins, to reach out into the community and to tell them the story of our past and our resplendent present, inspiring their future with college attendance as one of the choices they make.

“Having offered the events to celebrate Black History Month now for the sixth year, our evens will prove to enlighten our audiences and the entire UH-Clear Lake campus. This year, we began planning during the fall semester and we are pleased with what we have scheduled; the events offer a little something for everyone.”

Events during the monthlong celebration include the following activities:

* Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9-11 a.m., “Normandy Crosses UH-Clear Lake’s Campus” for the month’s theme, I Can Be a Hero – This Black History Month Program features speakers from the Houston Fire and Police Departments, NASA Johnson Space Center, Kozmikoasis Recordings, a skit by the Black Students Association, poems, and songs, with participation by the Normandy Crossing Elementary School students, as well as UH-Clear Lake’s administration and student leaders from the Student Government Association. This free presentation will be held in the Bayou Theater.

* Wednesday, Feb. 11, 12-1 p.m., Voices of Colour Speaker Series -- Sponsored by the Office of Intercultural and International Student Services, the event features UH-Clear Lake alumna and local attorney at law Rebecca Reitz discussing the topic “Baby’s Fate…Who Decides?” The case of Roman vs. Roman, has made headlines in major newspapers, magazines, and talk shows over the custody battle of frozen embryos. The event will be held in the Garden Room and admission is free.

* Saturday, Feb. 21, 7- 9 p.m., Black History Month Mini-Concert -- Featuring native Texan and Kozmikoasis artist Caretta Bell, this event will showcase Bell’s multi-faceted experience in singing, song writing, and acting.  It will be held in the Bayou Theater and is free for students with UH-Clear Lake identification and $5 for all others. Proceeds will benefit a Black Student Association textbook scholarship. Refreshments will be served after the concert.

* Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., “Yes We Can” – UH-Clear Lake African American professors will discuss the recent Presidential election and the inauguration of our 44th President Barack H. Obama.  Professors will offer their perspectives in the university’s Garden Room. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

   Other university organizations sponsoring these events include the Office of Intercultural and International Student Services, Office of Student Life Cultural Arts program, Office of Student Life Film & Speaker Series, Office of University Advancement, Office of the Dean of Students and the African American Employee Group. For information about these events, call the Office of Student Life, 281-283-2560. To find out more about the Black Students Association, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/studentorgs/bsa.