Ohio State celebrates United Black World Month

COLUMBUS – Former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney will kick off The Ohio State University’s 33rd annual celebration of United Black World Month (UBWM) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ohio Union Main Lounge, 1739 N. High St.

A celebration of African American history and culture, UBWM will feature educational programs, lectures and community events throughout the month of February.

Clarice Ford, coordinator of African American Student Services, said Umoja, the Swahili word for unity, is the theme for this year’s program.

“We feel that it is important for our students to have the opportunity to celebrate diversity as a community,” Ford said.

McKinney, elected Georgia’s first African American congresswoman in 1992, will speak on the topic of “Homeland Security for African Americans in 2003.” The entire events schedule, most of which are free and open to the public, follows.

Jan. 30
United Black World Month kickoff celebration featuring former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
7:30 p.m., The Ohio Union, Main Lounge, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 1
The Graduate and Professional Schools Preparation Workshop.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 4
Creative Expression: Exhibition of Photographs by Kojo Kamau.
Bricker Hall, 190 N. Oval Mall, Second Floor.

Feb. 4
Presentation by Carl Mack, historian and motivational speaker.
6 to 9 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 5
Relieve stress through African Dance.
12 to 1:30 p.m., The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High Street.

Feb. 6
Creative Expression: The Academy of African American Male Achievement Chorus.
12 to 1 p.m., The Ohio Union, First Floor Food Court, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 7
Hip Hop on Ice, a night of music and ice skating with the Pan-Hellenic Council at the Ohio State Ice Rink.
10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., 390 Woody Hayes Dr.
Cost: $1 admission and $2 skate rental.

Feb. 10
“Sister Series”, an open forum for college women and men.
7 to 9 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 12
Wellness Wednesday Health Fair.
4 to 8 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 13
Discussion: “Are We Moving Forward or Backwards as a People?”
7 to 9 p.m., The Ohio Union, Multicultural Center, Fourth Floor, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 14
“Open Mic,” a night of food, fun and poetry.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 17
Presentation: “The Black Athlete and the American Mainstream.”
7 to 9 p.m., The Ohio Union, Multicultural Center, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 18
Shadow-A-Student Day. Contact: Jen Bossard (bossard.5@osu.edu) to volunteer as a shadow to area high school students.

Feb. 19
Annual Male/Female Essay Scholarship Contest.
7 to 9 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 19
Forum on African American Male Student Issues.
7 to 9 p.m., The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 21
Fourth Annual Black Greek Step Invitational.
7 to 9:30 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 24
“Facts, Folklore and Food.”
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The College of Dentistry, Postle Hall, 305 W. 12th Ave., Room 1183.

Feb. 26
The Business Etiquette Dinner will provide tips on business dining.
6 to 8 p.m., The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
Cost: $10.

Feb. 26
Association of Black Leaders for Entrepreneurship Business Expo.
4:30 to 7:30 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

Feb. 26
“Facts, Folklore and Food.”
11:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m., The College of Dentistry, Postle Hall, 305 W. 12 Ave., Room 1183.

Feb. 27
Closing event featuring veteran news and radio talk show host Tom Pope.
7 to 9 p.m., The Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St.

Feb. 28
The UBWM Mahogany Moment Semiformal Dance.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Hyatt Regency Hotel, 350 N. High St.
Cost: $10 per person; $15 per couple.

For additional information, contact The Ohio State Office of African American Student Services at (614) 688-8449.