Hattiesburg announces Black History Month events. What to know

Laurel Thrailkill, Hattiesburg American
·3 min read

February brings a calendar packed with events to celebrate Black History Month in Hattiesburg.

The events, themed around Black health and wellness, will honor former health care leaders from the community, according to officials with Hattiesburg’s Sixth Street Museum District, which is putting the Black History Month events together.

“Our annual Story Time with a Soldier program will have a medical theme and our Get Moving Event, Healthy Heart Affair and Spirit of a Warrior Luncheon will all focus on bringing valuable health information to those who participate,” said Latoya Norman, Director of Museums for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission.

Several events require registration. To register for events, call 601-450-1942. The month-long schedule of activities is as follows:

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Honoring Pioneers in Medicine

Community and family members will share their memories of medical pioneers featured during each event.

Events are free to attend and will take place at 10 a.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at the Historic Eureka School, 410 E. Sixth Street. The events will be by appointment only, which can be made by calling 601-450-1942.

  • Feb. 1, honoring E. Hammond Smith, founder and owner of Smith Drug Company

  • Feb. 8, honoring Charles Smith and Grover Smith

  • Feb. 15, honoring Martin Luther Smith and William Lloyd Garrison Smith

  • Feb. 22, honoring James Cohen

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Storytime with a Soldier

Story Time with a Soldier brings a military veteran together with young people through reading at the African American Military History Museum. This year, each selected book has a health and wellness theme. Students from Pre-k to second grade are invited to attend. Following the story, the students will be given a tour of the museum.

Events will take place at 10 a.m., Feb. 4, 11 and 18 at the museum, 305 E. Sixth Street, and are by appointment only, which can be made by calling 601-450-1942.

Get Moving: Dancing in the District

Get Moving: Dancing in the District will be a fitness experience led by certified dance and group fitness instructor Victoria Peters. All ages are invited to attend.

The event will take place at 10 a.m., Feb. 12 at the Historic Eureka School.

Spirit of a Warrior Luncheon

Spirit of a Warrior Luncheon will feature Jean Turner, retired U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Turner is a nationally board-certified holistic nurse, licensed minister, author, speaker and podcaster. In her presentation, Turner will focus on achieving optimum health and wellness.

The event will take place at 11 a.m., Feb. 17 at the African American Military History Museum. Spirit of a Warrior Luncheon requires reservations, which can be made by calling 601-450-1942.

A Healthy Heart Affair

A Healthy Heart Affair will provide health and wellness information, education and screenings.

The health fair will feature a presentation by Rasheeda Crowell Hall, physician of family medicine and general surgery with Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative Inc. on how to maintain a healthy heart. Students can enjoy a reading of the book "Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas." Blood pressure screenings and healthy snacks will be available.

The event will take place at 10 a.m., Feb. 24 at the Historic Eureka School.

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A special finale event will also take place Feb. 25 with more information to follow later in the month.

Contact reporter Laurel Thrailkill at lthrailkill@gannett.com or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Black History Month: Hattiesburg announces event lineup