Did you know that February is Black History Month? While it's absolutely true that history was made on January 20, 2009, February is the month we honor all the great men and women of black history. Be sure to check out the biographies, videos and more on biography.com.
There are many events honoring Black History Month in Portland neighborhoods. Check out the list below for art, film, lectures and more!
photo: Reggie Houston
Perfection at the IFCC for Black History Month
Event Date: 02/05/2009 08:00 PM
Event Location: IFCC (Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center), 5340 North Interstate Avenue
"I've tried to create a play that contrasts the beauty of true human spirit with the mindless arrogance displayed by the architects of the eugenics movement." - Helen Hill, playwright
Perfection is directed by Drammy Award winner and acclaimed veteran stage actor Brenda Phillips, and will be presented throughout February, 2009 in honor of Black History Month. There will be a moderated, open discussion of this controversial issue following each play.
In 2000, Governor Kitzhaber issued a public apology to the thousands of forced sterilization victims in Oregon. This was the first time many Oregonians had ever heard of Oregon's eight decades of participation in the eugenics movement.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » African American Lives Part 2
Event Date: 02/10/2009 11:30 AM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue
African American Lives, Part 2: Pine Room
The first AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES revealed the power in discovering one's family history. Now, Henry Louis Gates Jr. will guide a new group to discover their ancestry in AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2. The series will draw on DNA analysis, genealogical research and family oral tradition to trace the lineages of the participants, including Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Tina Turner, down through U.S. history and back to Africa.
12 Noon to 1 PM. The room will be open at 11:45. Arrive early for a good seat!
Local Color, Columbia Square: Rivers Conference Room, 11:30 - 1 PM.Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
City of Portland Presents » Black History is American History Featuring Reggie Houston
Event Date: 02/11/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue , 2nd Floor Auditorium
Just ask Reggie Houston- legendary member of The Survivors, The Fats Domino Band, and more recently The Box of Chocolates and The Reggie Houston Arkestra. During his career Houston has shared the stage with Harry Connick Jr., Bobby McFerrin, Zigaboo Modeliste and Charles and Charmaine Neville.
"Reggie's music can transport any listener to a 2am Bourbon Street revelry and draw tears from the eyes of the most stoic. More than just a master of the saxophone, Reggie Houston is an entertainer of the highest order. He has the charm and charisma of a modern day Louis Armstrong mingled with the pure and irresistible joy of a child."
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Heads up: The auditorium was standing room only last year. Please arrive early for good seats.
Sponsored by The Black History Month Committee, Bureau of Environmental Services and Portland Water Bureau
Youth Day » City of Portland Celebrates Black History Month
Event Date: 02/12/2009 09:00 AM
Event Location: Portland Building
As part of our Black History Month activities, students from several Portland High Schools will be invited to job shadow city employees and then to enjoy lunch and a film on Black History during the noon hour.
The students will be transported by bus to the Portland Building. After a snack and greetings from city officials, they will be matched up with individual city employees who will host the students until 11:30 AM. Many of the host employees are graduates of Jefferson High School. The students will return to the auditorium where they will enjoy a lunch sponsored by City Bureaus and view and discuss a film on Black History entitled Local Color. The host employees and all city employees will be invited to join us in the auditorium to view and discuss the film with the visiting students from 12:00 noon to 1:30 PM. The program will end at approximately 1:30 PM. The students will be transported back to respective schools by bus. For a detailed schedule click here.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » "Local Color: The History of Racism in Oregon"
Event Date: 02/12/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: 2nd Floor Auditorium, Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue
With an African-American president just inaugurated, it's easy to forget just how far we've come. This OPB program, produced in 1991, chronicles the little-known history of racism in Oregon and the moving story of people, both black and white, who worked for civil rights. The historic documentary preserves stories that might otherwise be lost and forgotten.Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » Against the Odds - "Story of the Harlem Renaissance"
Event Date: 02/13/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Pine Rooms, Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue
This PBS production takes a look at the Harlem Renaissance, analyzing why it was one of 20th century America's vital artistic movements.
Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » Black Preachers - Their Role/Influence in African American History
Event Date: 02/17/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
No information available about this film. Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
Lecture: Charles Burnett, Carl Lumbly and Edwin Santiago in Conversation
Event Date: 02/18/2009 07:00 PM
Event Location: Pacific Northwest College of Art Swigert Commons
Beginning at 7 pm in the Pacific Northwest College of Art Swigert Commons, Charles Burnett, Carl Lumbly, and Edwin Santiago will discuss their film “Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation.” as part of the Cascade Festival of African Films.
Burnett and Santiago collaborated for several years on such films as “Nightjohn” and “Warming by the Devil's Fire.” An influential film director, the New York Times heralded Burnett as “the nation's least-known great film maker and most gifted black director.” His seminal film, “Killer of Sheep,” responds to the Blaxploitation films of the ‘70s and focuses on the experience of African Americans living in Watts in the mid-70’s. The Library of Congress declared “Killer of Sheep” a national treasure as one of the first 50 on the National Film Registry; the National Society of Film Critics selected it as one of the “100 Essential Films” of all time.
“Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation” shows at 7pm, February 20 at the Hollywood Theater.
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland Community College and the Cascade Festival of African Films co-sponsors this lecture moderated by writer and PNCA faculty Barry Sanders.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » America’s Black Warriors- Two Wars to Win
Event Date: 02/19/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
They battled not just the enemy, but against entrenched racism in the U.S. Armed Forces Colin Powell and others tell the true story of AMERICA'S BLACK WARRIORS.
Join Colin Powell and other decorated soldiers as they tell one of the most important stories of World War II. Throughout American history, from the Revolution to San Juan Hill, black soldiers had fought under the Stars and Stripes. But creeping racism during the beginning of the 20th century saw them in second-class roles, and America's generals and commanders widely believed that they were unfit for combat duty.
When the reality of war forced America to deploy black soldiers in battle, they quickly proved their worth and showed the ignorance and shortsightedness of those who had conspired to keep them out of the fight. AMERICA'S BLACK WARRIORS: TWO WARS TO WIN features numerous African-American WWII veterans, who speak with brutal honesty about the prejudice they encountered and the battles they fought. Learn of the remarkable achievements of units like the Tuskegee Airmen, who earned the respect of their German adversaries in the skies over Italy and Sicily, and discover how the advances made in World War II paved the way for the armed forces to become a model of successful integration for the rest of America. Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » Voices of the Civil Rights Movement - Oral Histories
Event Date: 02/20/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
Gain a fresh perspective on America's struggle for racial equality. From the fearless resolve of a lone woman to the unified voices of thousands, six powerful documentaries present a stunning overview of the Civil War Movement. Personal narratives spotlight the courage of individuals like Rosa Parks, Medgar Evars, and Martin Luther King, Jr. who led the nation to its rightful destiny. Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
Cascade Festival of African Films Screening: “Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation”
Event Date: 02/20/2009 07:00 PM
Event Location: Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd
The Cascade Festival of African Films will screen Charles Burnett and Edwin Santiago's “Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation” at 7pm, February 20 at the Hollywood Theater (4122 NE Sandy Blvd).
“Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation” follows the legend of Samuel Nujoma (Carl Lumbly), Namibia’s first president and a prominent leader in the struggle for independence from apartheid South Africa.
Burnett and Santiago collaborated for several years on such films as “Nightjohn” and “Warming by the Devil's Fire.” An influential film director, the New York Times heralded Burnett as “the nation's least-known great film maker and most gifted black director.” His seminal film, “Killer of Sheep,” responds to the Blaxploitation films of the ‘70s and focuses on the experience of African Americans living in Watts in the mid-70’s. The Library of Congress declared “Killer of Sheep” a national treasure as one of the first 50 on the National Film Registry; the National Society of Film Critics selected it as one of the “100 Essential Films” of all time.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » History of LA Gangs, Part 1
Event Date: 02/24/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
Description unavailable.Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » History of LA Gang, Part 2 / What Black Men Think, Part 1
Event Date: 02/25/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
A documentary that confronts what is accepted as fact about today's black man- and demonstrates how much is myth. With a broad range of experts, footage from civil rights era, and music. Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
BLACK HISTORY FILM SERIES 2009 » What Black Men Think, Part 2
Event Date: 02/26/2009 12:00 PM
Event Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Pine Room
Part two of this documentary on the myth of the black man today. Some films may contain difficult language and/or graphic content.
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