Purdue's Black Cultural Center to celebrate Black History Month

The "We Wear the Mask: The Black Heroes and Sheroes of the Comic Book Universe” exhibit will feature comic books and action figures of popular and lesser known comic book heroes and sheroes featured in the collection. (Purdue University/Mark Simons) Download image

The Black Cultural Center at Purdue will host art events, movies and performances throughout February to celebrate Black History Month.

All events will be held at the BCC and are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise. Events are:

* "Moving Parts." An exhibition by Thomas Lucas and Hummingbird Press Editions. Lucas was the former visual arts chair at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and is now the director of printmaking at Lillstreet Art Center. The event will run through Feb. 25 at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. except holidays.

* "We Wear the Mask: The Black Heroes and Sheroes of the Comic Book Universe.” The exhibit will feature comic books and action figures of popular and lesser known comic book heroes and sheroes featured in the collection. The exhibition will run through March 30 at the Black Cultural Center. Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 2-8 p.m. Sunday.

* Tuesday (Feb. 6). 5:30 p.m. "My Pieces of History: A Queen's Journey to Archival Peace (and Release)” presented by Kassandra Agee Chandler will take place in Krannert Building, Krannert Auditorium (Room 140). Purdue’s only African-American Homecoming queen, Agee Chandler  will speak and present of her papers to Archives and Special Collections, a division of Purdue University Libraries. A reception in the Krannert Drawing Room will follow the formal lecture and presentation program. The event is free and open to the public.

* Saturday (Feb. 10). Noon. The Boiler Breakers: Hip Hop Roundtable. A panel discussion in the Black Cultural Center on hip hop’s role in culture and politics will be followed by a workshop featuring excellent B-Boys and B-Girls from around the world. The workshop is open to all ages and skills levels.

* Wednesday (Feb. 14). 6:30 p.m. "BMEN Queen’s Appreciation Soiree." Join the Black Male Excellence Network (BMEN) in taking a moment to show love, gratitude and appreciation to women at the Black Cultural Center. The soiree features an Afrofuturism theme in celebration of the upcoming "Black Panther" movie.

* Friday (Feb. 16). 10 a.m. Aesthetics x Afrofuturism Panel Discussion. On the cusp of the release of the "Black Panther" movie, this panel ranging from academia to artist to activist will show how Afrofuturism is playing a role in mass media, pop culture, and policy. The panel will take place in the Black Cultural Center, Room MP1.

* Friday (Feb. 16). 4 p.m. Black Twitter: Race, Gender, and Social Media Keynote. The Black Cultural Center will host Meredith Clark, assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia, whose research focuses on the intersections of race, media, and power. The event will take place at Lawson Computer Science Building, Room 1142.

* Friday (Feb. 16). 9 p.m. Black Panther Afrocosplay Party. The Black Cultural Center will host a cosplay party with a DJ, drinks, food and a prize for best costume.

* Monday (Feb. 19). 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Art of InterPlay Workshops presented by Masankho Banda. The Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment and Research will host Banda, who will conduct workshops and a community performance. Banda is trained in “Interplay,” a practice meant to build peace, inspire diversity and inclusion and foster healing using dance, music, drums and stories. The faculty and staff workshop will take place at 11:45 a.m. at the Black Cultural Center. The student workshop will take place at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 306.

* Tuesday (Feb. 20). 6 p.m. Minority Technology Association Black History Month Celebration. A representative from the Black Cultural Center will host an African-American bingo game and conduct a workshop on the West African craft of adrinka stamping in Knoy Hall, Room B019.

* Feb. 22, 26-28. 6 p.m. ASHA for Education Purdue Chapter presents Global Movie Fest. Stewart Center, Fowler Hall. Films will include "Get Out," "Marshall" and "Roman J. Israel, Esq." Admission is free.

* Feb. 23 and 24. 7 p.m. Coffee House. Sneak preview of the Black Cultural Center Performing Arts Ensembles spring performance. Black Cultural Center, Room MP1.

* Feb. 24. 9 a.m. Destination Purdue featuring The Purdue Express. Black Cultural Center Purdue Express recruitment ensemble will perform at the Destination Purdue program in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. The program provides attendees the opportunity to meet with current minority students to find out what being a Boilermaker is all about.

* Feb. 24. 10 a.m. Imagination Station Black History Celebration. Imagination Station, Greater Lafayette’s science center, and the Black Cultural Center will celebrate African Americans in STEM. There will be science activities for kids. A panel of local African American STEM professionals, including Purdue faculty, students and community members will be available to chat with parents about how to help their kids succeed in STEM fields. The event is free and open to the public.

* Feb. 27. 4-6 p.m. Natural Hair Roundtable Discussion. Join expert panelists, from scientists, locticians, and cosmetologists to discuss the science of natural hair. The roundtable will discuss and debunk natural hair myths, offer expert advice, and share some best practices on caring for natural hair. Black Cultural Center.

* Black Cultural Center’s Spring Tour. March 3-4. Learn more about the history of African-American culture and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans in St. Louis. The tour will include visits to the Katherine Dunham Museum, the Griot Museum of Black History and the National Blues Museum. Pre-registration required.

For more information regarding upcoming events, go to  www.purdue.edu/bcc

Writer: Kelsey (Schnieders) Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu