It’s February, and since 1926, that has meant Black History Month. According to Yves F. Nimbona, president of the African Students Association of Concordia, there is a common misconception people have when it comes to Black History Month.
“People see black history as something on its own, whereas black history is part of history in general,” said the cell and molecular biology major. “The fact that there’s a month is just to emphasize it.”
Nevertheless, Nimbona is proud of the events that the Concordia Student Union, together with the ASAC, the Concordia Caribbean Student Union and the Concordia chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers have planned to honour, and remember the contributions of the black population.
“People who don’t know much about Black History Month will be able to learn something, and people who do will be able to contribute and help out,” said Nimbona, referring to the wide variety of activities being held around campus.
Black History Events at Concordia Univeristy:
Tuesday Feb 2nd “Cultural Day”
Hall Building (7th Floor Lounge) at 1 p.m.
Indulge in some food, and listen to cultural presentations to learn about the diverse history of Concordia University’s varied black community and their representation at the university. “My personal view on the black issue is black people, and people in general, need to know that blacks are diverse. There’s not just one type of black,” said Nimbona.
Thursday Feb 4th Discussion Panel on “Black economics”
Hall Building (7th floor Lounge) at 6 p.m.
A discussion panel will shed light on the different economic issues affecting the black community. The focus will be on wealth management, material possession versus wealth, post-secondary education, poverty, and the variation in couples’ incomes.
Monday Feb 8th “BHM Movie Marathon”
Hall Building (Room 767) at 12 p.m.
A movie-filled afternoon. A list of films will be announced soon.
Thursday Feb 11th ” Speaker Sol Guy”
Hall Building (H-110) at 4 p.m.
The respected music producer turned philanthropist, is coming to Concordia to encourage students to make a difference in the world. Famous for his collaborations with talents like Lauryn Hill, Outkast and P. Diddy, Guy has been using the entertainment industry to foster social change since his life-altering trip to war-torn Sierra Leone.
Friday Feb 12th “Lizard Lounge Trivia”
Reggies 5:00 to 8 p.m.
Expand your knowledge of black history while downing $1 beers and enjoying free food. New friends will be made, and prizes will be handed out to trivia champions.
Monday and Tuesday Feb 15 and 16th “International African Inventors Museum”
A traveling mobile museum will be coming to Concordia to showcase the creations of African inventors. Catch a glimpse of the window cleaner, the eggbeater, lawn mower, space shuttle retrieval vessel and other items that we now take for granted.
Wednesday Feb 17th “Rum and Roti”
The Hive at 8 p.m.
An evening of Caribbean food (Roti is a West Indian version of classic Indian food) and drinks (rum is one of the primary exports of the Caribbean), is a great way to learn about Concordia’s Caribbean community.
Thursday Feb 18th “Comedy Night”
Hall Building (H-110) at 7 p.m.
Friday Feb 19th “Cupid’s Redemption”
A party where eligible male and female students from Concordia will be auctioned off is an original, and slightly kinky way to wrap up Black History Month 2010.
Black History Month events around Montreal:
Saturday Feb 6th “YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK”
Oscar Peterson Hall 7141 Sherbrooke St. West at 8 p.m.
The theme for the 6th annual Young, Gifted & Black talent showcase is “My African Roots.” There will be performances in drama, music, dance and spoken word. In light of the earthquake in Haiti, all proceeds will be donated to CECI’s Haitian relief fund.
Special guests from Montreal’s Haitian community have been invited to participate, including hip-hop MC, Bad News Brown and Montreal hip-hop artist, Vox Sambou. Later this month Brown will be touring with Sean Paul on the Canadian leg of his tour.
YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK is described by show organizer, Kevin George, as Edutainment: a mix of black history education and entertainment. George invites the Concordia community to come check out the performances.
“It is a black history show and it is black history month, but black history is not just for black people, it is for everybody,” said George.
Tickets are $25 and are on sale at The Oscar Peterson Concert Hall Box Office and online at Admission.com. Special rates are being offered for groups of 10+.
All month long at the National Film Board of Canada
CineRobotheque 1564 St. Denis
In honour of Black History Month, the National Film Board of Canada will be showcasing two documentary films free of charge at CineRobotheque.
Tuesday Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
First on the NFB’s roster is Nollywood Babylon, a feature documentary showing the popularity of Nigeria’s movie industry. Directed by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal, the film explores the growth of an industry inspired by both mysticism and modern culture.
Wednesday Feb. 3rd at 7 p.m.
The NFB will be presenting Invisible City, a documentary directed by Hubert Davis. The film follows Kendell and Mikey, two boys as they come of age in the inner-city housing project of Toronto’s Regent Park. Faced with the pressures associated with living in a poor neighbourhood, the boys get into trouble, but with the help of their mothers and mentors, they try to turn their lives around.
All month &- Tuesday to Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
For those unable to make these screenings, CineRobotheque also houses 21 personal viewing stations where for less than $4 (per two hours), students can watch films from a selection of over 10,000 titles. In light of Black History Month, the NFB recommends: Black soul; Black Mother Black Daughter; Black, Bold and Beautiful; Breakin’ In: The Making of a Hip-Hop Dancer; Hardwood; Show Girls; and Zéro Tolérance.