Henry Ford College (HFC) proudly celebrates Black History Month throughout February with a lineup of free activities and special events, beginning Monday, Feb 4.
HFC's African American Association and the Office of Student Activities (OSA) are co-sponsoring the College's celebrations during Black History Month. HFC's Council of World Cultures (CWC) and the Eshleman Library are also participating.
The schedule of events on HFC's main campus include:
Film Screening: The Talk: Race in America
Monday, Feb. 4, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Vogt Room (B-102) of the Eshleman Library (Building B)
This 2017 documentary chronicles the increasingly necessary conversation taking place in homes and communities across the country between parents of color and their children about how to conduct themselves if they are ever stopped by the police. Sponsored by the HFC Eshleman Library.
Concert: The Island Guys
Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Student & Culinary Arts Center (Building M)
The Island Guys is a Michigan-based band best known for their distinctively smooth blend of tropical music. The group recreates popular music using the sultry sounds of the Caribbean islands, including Calypso, reggae, soca, salsa, Latin/jazz, bossa nova, merengue, and samba. The band will perform songs by Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and many more. Sponsored by the OSA and CWC.
Film Screening: The Hate U Give
Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Student & Culinary Arts Center (Building M)
Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg, The Hunger Games) is a prep school student who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil Harris (Algee Smith, Detroit) by a white police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, she must find her voice and stand up for what's right. Also starring Regina Hall (Love & Basketball), Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Civil War), and Russell Hornsby (Grimm). Sponsored by the OSA and African American Association.
Film Screening: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Monday, Feb. 11, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Vogt Room (B-102) in the Eshleman Library (Building B)
This 2015 critically-acclaimed documentary explores the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for African Americans, and the painful lessons induced when a movement derails. Directed by 3-time Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson Jr. Sponsored by the HFC Eshleman Library.
Event: National African American Read-In
Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Eshleman Library (Building B)
Students, faculty, and staff will read excerpts of books, poems, speeches, short stories, and other writings by African Americans. Sponsored by the HFC Eshleman Library.
Scholarship Forum: College Financial Literacy-Paying For College
Thursday, Feb. 14, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Berry Amphitheater, located on the first floor of the ASCC (Building L)
Gwen Thomas - scholarship guru, author, and educational consultant - will speak on various ways to obtain funding for your college education. Funding sources, resources, tips, and strategies will be presented. The HFC Scholarship process will also be covered by the HFC Foundation. Sponsored by the African American Association.
Film Screening: Teach Us All
Monday, Feb. 18, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Eshleman Library (Building B)
This 2017 documentary and social justice campaign on educational inequality is set against the backdrop of the 1957 Little Rock school crisis. It demonstrates powerful lessons from history within a timely context, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action to rectify the disparities among America's children. Sponsored by the HFC Eshleman Library.
Presentation: In Your Own Voice: African American Art
Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room K-14 in the Reuther Liberal Arts Building (Building K)
Enhance your awareness of the creative contributions of African Americans from the 19th century through the present day. This presentation provides a lens to examine issues of race, gender, politics, and culture. Sponsored by the CWC.
True Black History Museum
Monday, Feb. 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Presentation is at 11:10 a.m.) in the atrium of the ASCC, Building L.
A collection of more than 1,000 authentic artifacts, which includes original documents from such historical figures such as Booker T. Washington, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, former U.S. President Barack Obama, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, and many other prominent African-Americans. Sponsored by the OSA and African American Association.
Film Screening: Whose Streets?
Monday, Feb. 25, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Vogt Room (B-102) in the Eshleman Library (Building B)
This 2017 documentary takes an in-depth look at how the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American man, by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MS inspired a community - the Ferguson uprising - to fight back and sparked a global movement. Sponsored by the HFC Eshleman Library.
Student Success Symposium
Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 9:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rosenau Room, located on the first floor of the ASCC (Building L)
The symposium provides HFC and area high school students the tools and information needed to be successful in achieving educational goals. Sponsored by the African American Association and OSA.
Presentation: 400 Years of Struggle
Thursday, Feb. 28, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rosenau Room, located on the first floor of the ASCC (Building L)
Human rights activist Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of The Pan-African News Wire, will give an overview of the African American experience from 1619 to 2019. Sponsored by the African American Association.
All events are free and open to the public. Parking is also free in multiple visitor lots on our campus. See https://www.hfcc.edu/map/for details on parking and building locations.
For further information about HFC's Black History Month events, contact the Office of Student Activities at 313-845-9865.
