Sinclair Community College will be hosting multiple events in recognition of African American History Month.
The 12th Annual Black Women’s Think Tank will take place on campus. The event will feature two keynote speakers, Ms. Judy Ramsey Wilson, long time educator and former Sinclair professor, and Dr. Karen L. Dace, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
According to Event Coordinator Annette Ross-Gray, the goal of BWTT is to bring together “women who have issues they want to address in a friendly, open forum.”
Ross-Gray stresses that participation is not limited by race, age, ethnicity or gender.
“Everyone is welcome,” she said. “This year we even have a presentation being given by a high school student dealing with technology and change,” she said.
The event focuses on helping participants to bring about “personal and communal change.”
The theme for the event is “Change Your Mind, Change Your Life.” It will take place in the basement of Building 8, Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Several workshops will be presented throughout the day with a continental breakfast and lunch included.
Sinclair will also host an art exhibit from Feb. 3 through March 12. The 21st Annual Reach Across Dayton will feature “Shades of Greatness,” an art exhibit inspired by Negro baseball leagues of the past. The exhibit will be on display in the Sinclair art galleries in Building 13.
The 2014 Nia Awards are also set to take place at the end of the month. The Nia Awards (nia is Swahili for “purpose”) are given to African American Sinclair students, faculty, staff and community members to “celebrate achievements in academics, creative arts, mentorship and leadership,” Crystal Echols, event coordinator, said.
The awards ceremony will also feature musical performances throughout by several choral ensembles, including Sinclair’s Gospel Ensemble, headed by Professor Daniel Greene.
“The awards are meant to honor those who go above the call of duty to help their community, while displaying academic leadership,” Echols said.
The event will take place Feb. 28 with refreshments being served at 6 p.m. and the program itself beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Sinclair’s African American Studies Program and African American History Month Committee are working together to put on the Kuumba (creativity) Celebration. The event will take place Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Student Leadership Development Center in Building 8 and will feature a talent showcase, a Black History trivia contest, as well as various competitions and speakers.
In celebration of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Memorial Poetry Prize will also be taking place. The contest is open to all Sinclair students, faculty and staff, with the winning entry receiving $100 and as well as having their poem printed as a broadside edition. Poems can be submitted to Professor Susan Callender in Building 5 room 143c.