The City of Bloomington’s 12th annual celebration of African American life, history, and culture will kick off Thursday, February 4, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. in the Showers City Hall Atrium. Mayor John Hamilton will offer welcome remarks at the Kick-off Program beginning at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Reclaiming the Next Hundred Years;” an acknowledgement of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s establishment of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915. “Reclaiming the Next Hundred Years” is an invitation for community members to explore the legacies and actively engage the contributions of Black people and Americans of African descent in Bloomington and beyond. This year’s celebration is a call to action and rededication to the mission of addressing the ignorance by countering the misrepresentation of African Americans. This event is free and open to the public, however those attending who can afford to are requested to help others by bringing non-perishable food items.

The Kick-off Celebration will feature a video message from Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and former IU Professor of History, Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad; a dance performance by Dr. Nyama McCarthy-Brown and the IU dance project; and a keynote address by Dr. Charlie Nelms, Vice President Emeritus, Indiana University, and former Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, Durham.

Cost: Free and open to public

For more information contact:

Rafi Khalid Hasan II
[email protected]