In honor of Black History Month, Penn State Berks will hold the following events in February 2019. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
True Black History Museum
9 a.m.–3 p.m., Lecture: 12:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8 — Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room
Fred Saffold III is the CEO and Founder of The True Black History Museum, a traveling Black history exhibit with artifacts dating from the late 1700s to the 21st century. The Museum was established to preserve the history of African American people and to provide information on the many great contributions that African Americans have made. Saffold will give an interactive lecture at 12:15 p.m. about the exhibit titled "A Tribute to the African American Journey." This presentation will take the audience through the African American experience utilizing the artifacts in the exhibit and explaining the significance of these artifacts the present day. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.
Berks Community Connection:
Being Black at Berks, A Cultural Showcase of Black Culture
5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8 — Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room
The Black Student Union and the Penn State Berks Diversity Committee will co-host “Being Black at Berks, A Cultural Showcase of Black Culture.” The evening will include various forms of spoken word poetry, hair and fashion shows, a performance by the Berks Step Team, and light refreshments. For additional information, contact Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, Coordinator of Diversity and International Programs, at 610-396-6080 or via email at SUP373@psu.edu.
The Wailing Women
7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16 — Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 South Waverly Street, Shillington, PA 19607
The Penn State Berks Campus Choir is joining Vox Philia Chamber Choir, Berks Sinfonietta and the Lincoln University Concert Choir to perform William Grant Still’s Wailing Woman. The text addresses the struggle to overcome separation and the need to see one another as neighbors–a message just as relevant today as when it was first written. The program also includes the Symphony in E Minor by Florence Price, one of the first African Americans to graduate from New England Conservatory of Music. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students. For more information, visit berkssinfonietta.org. To reserve tickets, call 484-509-1290 or email info@berkssinfonietta.org.
Aneesah Smith: Social Justice and LGBTQ Activist
7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 – Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room
Aneesah Smith describes herself as “a queer, Christian, cisgender, woman of color who is out and proud in all aspects of her life.” She is a national speaker, activist, and social justice educator who inspires those she meets to live out loud. Her purpose is to use her story to save lives, her passion to raise awareness through education, and her privilege to uplift the voices of the oppressed. Smith is an alumnus of West Chester University, where she earned a B.S. in Health Education and an M.S. in Counseling/Higher Education and has served as director of LGBTQA services for five years. Her career in student affairs began 13 years ago at Penn State Berks as the Program Coordinator for Educational Opportunities Program. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.