Black History Month at Pitt-Bradford has discussions, entertainment

BRADFORD, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is marking February as Black History Month with series of discussions, entertainment and other events.

Events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

The “Real Talk” series will take place from 9 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays during the month of February in Dining Rooms A/B off the Commons Café in the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

The discussions began last year as a way to raise consciousness about controversial and timely issues. Each discussion has a leader who will set the stage for the discussion and keep it going.

Discussion topics will be “What is Being Black” led by Julian Joyner, a criminal justice and history-political science major from Bronx, N.Y., on Feb. 3; “The N-Word” led by Dr. Tracee Howell, executive associate to the president, on Feb. 10; “Race, Justice and Law Enforcement” led by Mike Taylor ’89 and Campus Police Chief Dan Songer on Feb. 17; and “Dear White People” led by Ashley Young, a broadcast communications major from Philadelphia, Akire Hoots, a nursing major from Columbia, S.C., and Brianna Ferguson, a business management major from Philadelphia, on Feb. 24.

Comedian Arvin Mitchell will take the stage in the University Room at 9 p.m. Feb. 5. He is known for his clean style and hilarious impressions and has been featured on Black Entertainment Television’s “Coming to the Stage” and “Club Comic View.”

At 8 p.m. Feb. 6, bass DeAndre Simmons will give a recital in Bromeley Family Theater as part of Pitt-Bradford’s premier arts series, Prism. Tickets are $12 and $16 for the public and $5 for all students. Included in the ticket price is a Valentine’s Day-themed pre-show reception that will begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature hors d’oeuvres, chocolates and drawings of the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center proposed for the Seneca Building in downtown Bradford.

On Feb. 10, at noon in the Studio Theater of Blaisdell Hall, popular Buffalo singer-songwriter Ade Adu will perform. Adu lived in West and South Africa before relocating to Western New

York. His travels are reflected in the range of genres he plays, which include dance, hip-hop, reggae and rock.

On Feb. 12, the movie “Dear White People,” which explores the African American student experience at a predominantly white college campus, will play at 6:30 p.m. at the Bradford Main Street Movie House. The 2014 release written and directed by Justin Simien was winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent. The film is rated R.

On Feb. 14, an “I Love My Hair” program will offer free haircuts and styling for hair of all types from noon to 3 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

In addition to serving as facilitator for the Feb. 17 Real Talk session, on Feb. 18, alumnus Mike Taylor will give a talk at 8:30 p.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel. Taylor is an executive and event security manager with Intel Corp. in Chandler, Ariz. He is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for Intel employees worldwide, including the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, senior vice presidents and others.

Before going to Intel, he was the global security manager for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Ark., and security manager for the Washington Redskins.

The annual African American Student Union-sponsored Miss and Mr. Blue and Gold Pageant will be held at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Bromeley Family Theater.

Black History Month Jeopardy will test participants’ knowledge of Black history from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Mukaiyama University Room. Later that night, Midnight Breakfast will feature the Diamond Steppers beginning at 11 p.m. in the KOA Dining Hall in the Commons.

The last event of the month will be the One World Cultural Festival, a campus-wide celebration of diversity taking place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Commons.

Events are coordinated by the Black History Month Committee and sponsored by the AASU, Student Activity Council, Spectrum and Prism arts series, the One World Cultural Festival Committee, Residence Life, the Alumni Office and other student groups.

For disability needs relating to any of the events, contact the Office of Disability Resources at (814) 362-7609 or clh71@pitt.edu.