Join us to celebrate Black History Month
HFC celebrates and showcases Black History Month throughout the month of February, hosting activities that are free and open to the public.
February 4: History of Black History Month and Opening Ceremony
On Wednesday, February 4, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Room N-011 on the lower level of Building N on the main campus, HFC sociology instructor and the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group faculty advisor Dr. Kalvin DaRonne Harvell will describe the history and meaning of Black History Month, including many elements often overlooked in K-12 and higher education.
This interactive presentation will inspire, surprise, and challenge you as you learn more about the meaning of this month's history and commemorations.
Hosted by the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group.
February 11: Interactive Black History Month Game
On February 11, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Room N-011 on the lower level of Building N on the main campus, there will be a Black History Month Trivia Game. The answers matter, but the discussion matters more as you learn about historical people and events that are often overlooked in K-12 and higher education.
Hosted by the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group.
Thursday, February 12: “History of Black Liberation in America”
On February 12, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Pavillion of the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus), historian and jazz musician LuFuki Ismaeel Dhul-Qarnayn will speak on the “History of Black Liberation in America: Art as a Vehicle for Social Change.”
Dhul-Qarnayn will explore how Malcolm X's mission influenced Black Muslim jazz musicians. He will examine how the methodologies of Yusef Lateef, John Coltrane, Babatunde Olatunji, Amiri Baraka, and Bilal Abdurahman, extended beyond art to support urban revitalization and spiritual infrastructure.
This presentation will also discuss "Pneumatic Capital," the spiritual and psychological energy required to sustain communities, and how the metaphysics of Black Muslim artists were used to build physical and social institutions in distressed neighborhoods.
Finally, musician Aaron McCoy-Jacobs will give a drum circle performance. Feel free to bring along your own hand drum and join in.
Hosted by the Council of World Cultures.
Wednesday, February 18: Student presentation
On February 18, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Room N-011 on the lower level of Building N on the main campus, HFC student Richina Clay will give a presentation about Black History Month. Clay is a member of the Bowers Focus Group and the Henry Ford II Honors Program.
Hosted by the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group.
Wednesday, February 25: Alanna Grace-Marie Schwartz presentation
On February 25, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Room N-011 on the lower level of Building N on the main campus), HFC and University of Michigan alumna Alanna Grace-Marie Schwartz will share her sociological research on Black history.
During her time at HFC, Schwartz was a member of the Bowers Focus Group, the Honors Program, and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In January, she hosted “Arts of Defiance: Symbols of Hope” at HFC.
Hosted by the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group.
Thursday, February 26: “A History of Black Music in America”
On Thursday, February 26, from 2:10 to 3:30 p.m. in the Choir Room (Room F-113) on the first floor of the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F on the main campus), HFC English instructor and Black Student Union faculty advisor Paul Rodgers will give a presentation, “A History of Black Music in America.” Enjoy a live performance by Detroit’s Cold Cut Band, who will perform gospel, inspirational, jazz, R&B, and other music alongside Rodgers.
Hosted by the HFC Black Student Union.
Zoom option
The Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group events include a Zoom option if you cannot attend in person.
For questions or more information about Black History Month events at HFC, contact Student Activities at 313-845-9865 or studentactivities@hfcc.edu.