Polk’s Black History Month Events Begin Feb. 2, Will Include Performances, Exhibits, Community Forum Moderated by EBONY Editor
Polk State College’s Black History Month events begin Feb. 2, and will include art exhibits, performances, and two events featuring EBONY magazine editor-in-chief Mitzi Miller.
Scheduled events include:
Feb. 2-23
Black History Month exhibits
Polk State Lakeland LTB 1108 Art Gallery, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday-Thursday
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Gallery, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday
Ethnic cuisine
Feb. 4
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Lakeland Student Mall
Ethnic cuisine
Feb. 5
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Winter Haven WLR Loggia
Kreative Pandemonium
Feb. 11
12:30 p.m.
Polk State JD Alexander Center
Kreative Pandemonium is a St. Louis-based rhythm, song and dance ensemble that is dedicated to preserving culture and creating new experiences within the African Diasporas.
Brown Bag Conversation with Mitzi Miller, editor-in-chief of EBONY magazine
Feb. 12
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Lakeland, LLC 2188
Miller has led EBONY, one of the top-selling African-American magazines, since April 2014. She is also the co-author of five books, including “The Vow,” “The Angry Black Woman’s Guide to Life,” and three titles for the “Hotlanta” young adult series.
Black History Month Exhibit Reception
With dance and musical performance by Kwame Ross
Feb. 12
5:30-7 p.m.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center
Laura Ellis and the Jazz Noir Band
Feb. 12
7 p.m.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center
Ellis is a Los Angeles-based singer and recording artist who has been featured on History Channel’s “Route 66,” HBO’s “Carnivale,” and ABC’s “Modern Family.” She has also performed for concert, festival and cabaret audiences across the country.
Community Forum: “Brown, Black and Blue: Politics, Education, Crime and the Black Community”
Feb. 13
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven, WST 126
Local leaders participate in this event moderated by Mitzi Miller, editor-in-chief of EBONY magazine.
Kreative Pandemonium
Feb. 13
7:30 p.m.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center
Kreative Pandemonium is a St. Louis-based rhythm, song and dance ensemble that is dedicated to preserving culture and creating new experiences within the African Diasporas. Kwame Ross will also give an encore musical and dance performance.
Black, Brown and College Bound
Feb. 18-21
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel
This annual summit focuses on helping African-American and Latino men strengthen their identities, cultural heritage, community involvement and educational achievement. Polk State is a co-sponsor of the event.
Registration fee is required. To register or get more information, visit blackbrowncollegebound.com.
Reception and Gallery Talk
Feb. 19
5:30 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland LTB 1108 Art Gallery
with special performance by Kwame Ross
Free refreshments
Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Feb. 27, 28
7:30 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre
Camille A. Brown is an award-winning choreographer who uses her talents to spark conversations on complex social issues.
General admission is free, but VIP reserved seating is $20. Seating will be limited.
Unless otherwise noted all events are free and open to the public.
Addresses for the locations listed above follow:
Polk State JD Alexander Center, 152 E. Central Ave., Lake Wales
Polk State Lakeland, 3425 Winter Lake Road
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center, 1099 State Road 60 East
Polk State Winter Haven, 999 Ave. H N.E.