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Black History Month programs to focus on African-Americans during wartimes

January 26, 2018

Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Black History Month 2018 posterFeb. 12 Update: keynote address banquet registration link added to the History Research Symposium scheduled for Feb. 16. See list of Black History Month events below to register

Feb. 21 Update: information and a link to the Feb. 23 lecture by inventor and Tuskegee alumnus Lonnie G. Johnson has been added to the list of Black History Month events below.

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Lectures, forums and other programs on the campus of Ƶ throughout February will mark the university’s annual observance of Black History Month. These activities — open to members of the campus and surrounding communities — will center on the common theme of “African-Americans during a Time of War.”

“Due to Tuskegee’s intimate involvement in every major conflict since World War I, we are in a unique position to discuss the rich legacy of African-Americans in combat and otherwise,” said university archivist, Dana Chandler. “From our rich ROTC programs to the Tuskegee Airmen and General ‘Chappie’ James, Tuskegee men and women have played an important role in the defense of this nation. We are pleased to offer a selection of speakers and programs emphasizing with this important theme.”

The month’s events are presented through a partnership between the Ƶ Archives, the Department of History and Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Ƶ National Center of Bioethics in Research and Healthcare. A complete list of events appears below. For convenience, the list is also available as a PDF download. Most events will be located on the university’s campus in the John A. Kenney Hall Bioethics Auditorium, Room 71-243.

Black History Month programming comprises the annual lecture series honoring Dr. Frank Toland Sr. Before his death in 2010 at the age of 90, the professor emeritus of history was known as a tireless educator, a local public servant and a voice of the voting rights movement. Toland began serving on the university faculty in 1949, and in 1968, he became chair of the History Department — a position he held for 16 years. During his university tenure, he also served as a member of the Tuskegee City Council, NAACP and Macon County Democratic Club.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. It is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history.

2018 Black History Month events
“African-Americans during a Time of War”

All lectures are located in the John A. Kenney Hall Bioethics Auditorium, RM 71-243, unless otherwise noted. Download this list as a PDF.

  • Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m., Kwesi Daniels: “Paris Exposition and Tuskegee”
  • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m., Vester Marable: “The Tuskegee Airmen National Park Site”
  • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m., Lisa Bratton and Elyse Hill, “Introduction to African-American Genealogy”
  • Thursday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m., Sumpter Winbush: “African-American Veterans”
  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.: “Roundtable Discussion on Tuskegee Airmen”
  • Thursday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m.: “Ƶ History Symposium: Beauty and Burden of Blackness” [download symposium program]
  • Thursday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m.: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Forum," Gen. "Chappie" James Arena [read more]
  • Friday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m.: “Ƶ History Symposium: Beauty and Burden of Blackness,” Location: George Washington Carver Museum [download symposium program; , 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.]
  • Tuesday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m., David Banks: “Roots: The Spiritual and Personal Journeys”
  • Thursday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.: “Panel Discussion on the Legacy of President Obama”
  • Friday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.: Art Competition
  • Friday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.: Lecture by Tuskegee alumnus, African-American engineering and inventor Lonnie G. Johnson '73, University Chapel [read more]
  • Tuesday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m., Tim Bryant: “Tuskegee and Macon County During Time of War”
  • Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1 p.m., Rip Patton, “An Afternoon with a Freedom Rider”
  • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.: “Post World War II and the Negro Soldier”

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