Black History Month Celebration Under Way at Polk State

Polk State College has a busy slate of events planned in honor of Black History Month.

The month-long celebration began with the opening of a Black History Month Art Exhibit at the Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Gallery, presented in partnership with the Polk State College Art Committee.

The exhibit is on display through Feb. 22. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

A cultural art exhibit is also on display on the first floor of the Polk State Winter Haven Administration Building. The exhibit will remain in place through the end of February.

Other events planned for the month include:

Ethnic Cuisine
Feb. 11
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Lakeland Student Mall
Presented in partnership with the Polk State Lakeland Student Government Association
Frederick Douglass:  A Message to Us
Feb. 12
3 to 5 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland
LAC 1243
A Polk State Philosophy Club event

Black History Month Jam
Feb. 12 & 13
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland Student Center
Presented by Polk State Lakeland Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO)

Ethnic Cuisine
Feb. 13
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Winter Haven WLR Loggia
Presented in partnership with the Polk State Winter Haven Student Government Association

Community Heritage Day Festival
Feb. 16
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Northeast Cultural Recreation Center
801 Ave. T N.E., Winter Haven
Polk State College is a partner and sponsor of this event with First Missionary Baptist Church

Issues in Race Relations
Feb. 19
3 to 5 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland
LAC 1243
A Polk State Philosophy Club event

“The Walk of Destiny”
Feb. 19
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven WST Loggia
Sponsored by the Black Student Union
More than a dozen students from the Black Student Union plan to dress as prominent African-American figures from periods throughout Florida’s history. Students will share information about the role each person played in the state. Informational displays will also be placed on campus.

Black, Brown and College Bound
Feb. 20-23
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
The annual summit will focus on helping African-American and Latino men strengthen their identities, cultural heritage, community involvement and educational achievement.
Polk State is a co-sponsor of this event in partnership with Student Government Associations on both campuses.
Registration fee is required. To register and for more information, visit blackbrowncollegebound.com.

“The Black Power Mixtures” Movie
Feb. 21
2 to 4 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland
LLC 2188
Presented by Polk State SWER (Students Working for Equal Rights)

American Under Curse
Feb. 26
With Former Klansman Richard Harris
3 to 5 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland, LLC 2188
A Polk State Philosophy Club event

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

Polk State Winter Haven also hosted the Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels earlier this week in an event sponsored by the Polk State Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO). The museum includes artifacts, writings and other items that tell the story of African-Americans from 1860 to the present.