Nonprofit Thursday: African American Heritage Month

Tip of the hat to Geoff Mwaungulu, M.D., my friend of more than four decades, for suggesting the term African American Heritage Month. I like it!

African American Heritage Month Calendar

February

Why I Had to Dance

Don't miss this choreopoem by Ntozake Shange choreographed and directed by Cleveland’s own Dianne McIntyre. Just two performances at Playhouse Square on Feb. 17 & 18. Tickets $10. Call 241.6000.

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Library Programs

Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1PM:

The Role and Reality of Education in Freedom’s Struggle

Rev. Jawanzaa Karriem Colvin of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church will speak on the role of faith and education in the struggle for freedom. Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch

Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 3PM:

Black History to the Beat

Join Cleveland’s own Edward “Phatty” in creating an original musical composition about African American history. Woodland Branch

Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1PM: Natural Hair Care in the 21st Century Take part in Cleveland Public Library’s first-ever natural hair program. Fin out about the history, science and beauty of African American hair. Featuring a "real talk" informative and interactive session with advice from the experts. in creating an original musical composition about African American history. Main Library · Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium

Cleveland Public Library, Memorial-Nottingham Branch, 17109 Lake Shore Boulevard, Cleveland 44110. [216.623.7039 | Memorial.Nottingham.Branch@cpl.org :

Honoring Langston Hughes 

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Calling all young poets! Ages 10-12! In honor of African-American History Month, the Memorial-Nottingham Branch will celebrate this joyous month by honoring the famous American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist, Mr. James Mercer Langston Hughes.  Two of Mr. Langston’s famous titles, The Sweet and Sour Animal Book and My People, will be read.  Following the story, come create your very own poem to take home.

African American History Month Folktale Celebration

Monday, Feb. 27, 1:30-2:30 PM

 Children, young adults, and parents are invited to join Cleveland Public Library's multicultural storyteller extraordinaire, Ms. Donna Willingham for an hour of inspirational African and African-American folktales. 

 Ms. Willingham is currently a member of the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. and the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. She told the "tallest tale" and won the 1997 "Liars' contest" at the National Black Storytellers Festival and Conference, held in Cleveland, Ohio of that year.

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America's First Black Entrepreneurship Day

and

Woodmere's Second Black History Month Celebration

This combination trade show/cultural fair is the brainchild of Woodmere councilman Azaadjeet Singh. It offers FREE admission, free food, and free multi-cultural entertainment.

Feb. 24 from 6PM-9PM at ETON Shopping Center, 28601 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere 44122.

This event very well could live up to its billing: “Building Bonds, Breaking Barriers”

For more info: Azaadjeet Singh at 330.519.8977 or asiabizcomms@aol.com.

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White House Hispanic Community Action Summit here this weekend

Senior Obama Administration officials from diverse policy areas with meet this Saturday with community  leaders, business owners, and other stakeholders to discuss issues critical to the Hispanic community, Cleveland, and the nation.

This White House Hispanic Community Action Summit will take place from 8:30AM to 4PM at the Lorain Community College in at the Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 North Abbe Rd., Elyria.

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