Here's what Oshkosh area colleges, and a business, are doing to mark Black History Month
OSHKOSH – Black History Month's 2023 national theme is "Black Resistance," and local college campuses, as well as a business, are planning events throughout February that recognize historical figures, discuss what the month represents and provide ways to celebrate.
President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month officially in 1976, and every American president since has designated February as Black History Month, including endorsing a specific theme, according to history.com.
From a local author reading to speaker presentations, movies, church services and even a new dance, here are some of the ways that University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Caramel Crisp Corner, Oshkosh Arena and Fox Valley Technical College are marking the month.
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UW-Oshkosh events include screenings, Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration and more
UW-Oshkosh is marking the month with programming spread across several weeks.
Alphonso Simpson, director of UW-Oshkosh's African American Studies program, said the university's theme in 2023 is "Black Resistance and Restorative Justice."
"We are urging the campus community to not only remember but to reflect and respond to the spirit of our campus-wide theme," he said.
The university will hold its third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration and Awards Program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Reeve Memorial Union theater, 748 Algoma Blvd., Room 307.
Alumnus Shawn Anthony Robinson is the featured speaker. Robinson is the co-creator of the graphic novel "Doctor Dyslexia Dude," which is based on his own journey through education with dyslexia.
His talk is titled "Time is of the Essence: Why We Can't Afford to Wait."
Robinson graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in human services and later earned his master's from DePaul University and a doctorate from Cardinal Stritch University.
There are also Monday night movie screenings including "Rosewood," "Glory," "Amistad," "Malcolm X" and "Till." Each screening starts at 6 p.m. in Sage Hall and includes free admission, popcorn, candy and a talkback following the film.
Other events include various discussions and lectures on such topics as mental health in the black community, racial conflict in reality TV, Blackness in the 21st century and more. Many events have in-person and virtual options.
There are church services, a first annual 1970s decade dance this Friday, a virtual Black history trivia contest on Saturday and plenty more. A complete calendar of events is available at uwosh.edu/africanamericanstudies/bhm/.
Exhibit pays homage to influential Black leaders
The university also has an exhibit on view to commemorate the month. "Be The Light. Inspiration on Purpose" features 12 portraits of influential Black leaders painted by Detroit-based artist Patrick "Patcasso" Hunter.
The paintings feature Kamala Harris, Reggie Van Lee, Earl Lloyd, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, Tommie Smith, Bessie Coleman, Paul "Showtime" Gaffney, Herbert "Flight Time" Lang, Frederick Douglass, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker, Reggie Van Lee and Booker T. Washington.
The portraits were sublimated onto jerseys for the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks. The team wore them Feb. 7 during its Black History Month celebration game at Oshkosh Arena.
The exhibit is on display all month long at the Gail F. Steinhilber Art Gallery at UW-Oshkosh's Reeve Union, 748 Algoma Blvd.
Caramel Crisp hosts author reading
Caramel Crisp Corner, 200 City Center, Suite D, will hold an author talk at 5:30 p.m. Thursday featuring Abayomi Animashaun, a Comstock Review editor, poet and English professor at UW-Oshkosh.
Animashaun has published two books of poetry titled "Sailing for Ithaca" and "The Giving of Pears." He has also edited two books: "Others Will Enter the Gates: Immigrant Poets on Poetry, Influences and Writing in America" and "Walking the Tightrope: Poetry and Prose by LGBTQ Writers from Africa."
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University radio show airs Black History Month Spotlight program
Local radio station 90.3 WRST-FM Oshkosh will air four 30-minute programs at 5 p.m. each Thursday during its Black History Month Spotlight.
Topics include student leadership on campus, attracting and retaining college students, and more.
These programs are in conjunction with in person and virtual events happening as part of UW-Oshkosh's Black History Month events.
Fox Valley Technical College marks Black History Month with events at all campuses
Fox Valley Technical College will host a slate of speakers, museum exhibits and a "Soulful Experience" soul food lunch on Feb. 27 at Oshkosh's Riverside Campus, 150 N. Campbell Road.
A full schedule of events at its Appleton, Oshkosh and Waupaca campuses can be found at fvtc.edu/news.
Contact Katy Macek at kmacek@thenorthwestern.com or 920-426-6658. Follow her on Twitter @KatherineMacek.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: UW-Oshkosh, FVTC, Caramel Crisp hold 2023 Black History Month events
