Many of this year’s Black History Month events are virtual, creating a unique opportunity for Arkansans to have increased access to a variety of programming. Every Monday in February we’ll publish a weekly list spotlighting several of these events. If you’d like your event included, please email the details to explore@argotsoul.com.
February 9
12 p.m. — Sacred Grounds
The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission visits the Equal Justice Institute and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, a “sacred ground” and memorial to the thousands of lynching victims in the United States. The virtual visit will be streamed on the commission’s social media channels.
2 p.m. — Diversity and Inclusion Open Forum
Join this open discussion about diversity and inclusion at The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. This virtual event will be presented via Zoom and registration is required.
5 p.m. — Congressional Black Caucus Internship Panel
Join this virtual event to hear about the experiences of those who have had the opportunity to experience the CBCI internships. This event will be presented via Zoom.
5 p.m. — Diversity Career Connection
University of Arkansas students who participate in this fast-paced, interactive event will learn to create and practice their 60-second elevator pitch and how to ask questions that will help them connect with hiring managers, recruiters and others. Each participant is encouraged to take a seat with at least 6 different company representatives at their virtual table, speed-networking style. Random door prize drawings will take place during the event. Registration is required.
6 p.m. — Where I’ve Been
This program is an opportunity for University of Arkansas at Little Rock faculty and staff members to share their stories, struggles and success with students in the Student Affairs Diversity Initiatives, show them the diverse paths that can be taken to reach their goals and encourage them to push through and overcome any obstacles they may face. Zoom information will be sent upon registration
7 p.m. — The Black Church Preview Screening
Premiering at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17 on Arkansas PBS, this new, two-part, four-hour documentary reveals the broad history and culture of a living institution in African American life — the Black church. Enjoy a preview of this new program, with a special welcome from Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Director Christina Shutt. You can register at www.myarpbs.org/blackchurchevent. You can also register here for the national Zoom webinar with Henry Louis Gates Jr., which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 11.
February 10
12 p.m. — Lunch and Learn: LaGanzie Kale ‘03
Arkansas State University hosts this virtual luncheon featuring LaGanzie Kale, owner of KLEK 102.5 FM. Kale is a 2003 A-State graduate with degrees in Radio-Television and General Studies. He also holds a masters in Teaching & Learning with Technology from Ashford University. His talk will address how radio has always been an important resource in the Black community, followed by a brief history of KLEK and how it has brought people together in Jonesboro. The event is free, but registration is required.
4 p.m. — The Body of a Black Man
Arkansas Tech University’s Department of Diversity and Inclusion will host a virtual roundtable discussion on the recent and current police brutality against Black men. They will discuss how the physical attributes of a Black man can gain him notoriety on the football field or basketball courts, but those same physical attributes will get a Black man killed on the streets.
5:15 p.m. — UA Honors College Public Preview: Black Utopia
Join this sneak preview of the fall Honors College signature seminar, Black Utopias, taught by Dr. Caree Banton, director of African and African American Studies and associate professor of African diaspora history. This public preview can be viewed on Zoom, and a recording will be shared on the Honors College website.
7 p.m. — A Conversation Worth Having: So You Want to Talk About Race
CALS Ron Robinson Theater joins Arkansas PBS to present “So You Want To Talk About Race,” a conversation between New York Times best-selling author Ijeoma Oluo and Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch of Arkansas State University, recorded at the 2018 Arkansas Literary Festival. Dr. Branch will join founders of the Arkansas Peace & Justice Memorial Movement Kwami & Clarice Abdul-Bey for a live discussion and Q&A following the screening. Viewers will also have the opportunity to contribute to the conversation and pose questions to the speakers during the broadcast, and a discussion guide is available from Arkansas PBS.
February 11
3 p.m. — Haitian American Museum of Chicago Presentation
Join the Haitian American Museum of Chicago for their presentation of Haitian Vodou Spiritualities with Notre Dame professor Karen Richman. UAFS will present this event via Zoom. Registration is required.
3 p.m. — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Hour with Dr. Calvin White
Dr. Calvin White, associate dean of Fulbright College of ARts and Sciences will present My Black Experience in Fulbright College. The goal for these weekly conversations is to provide a platform to share experiences, ensure awareness and education, allow voices to be heard and instill a sense of belonging. The public can attend via Zoom and no registration is required.
6 p.m. — BHM Lecture: Attorney KenDrell Collins
Arkansas State University will host this virtual conversation with Collins, a criminal defense attorney and member of the governor’s Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas. He will discuss the current state of community activism.
6 p.m. — Barbershop Talk
The barbershop is essential in the Black community. It’s the place where you get your hair cut and have conversations about anything in the world. This series will be facilitated conversations geared toward the Black male. This discussion will be delivered via Zoom. No registration is required.
7 p.m. — Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Storytime Showcase
Join director Christina Shutt at 7 p.m. every Thursday on MTCC’s Facebook Live or YouTube channel for a virtual story time that features authors and main characters of color. During the reading, Shutt will reveal a secret code for one free, kid’s scoop of ice cream per family at Loblolly Creamery, located at 1423 Main St. in Little Rock. MTCC collaborated with Loblolly to create the “Maple Leaf Ragtime” flavor in honor of composer Scott Joplin. A portion of proceeds from each purchase of this flavor will benefit MTCC.
7 p.m. — Arkansas Sounds Presents: Art Porter Sr.
Join the Central Arkansas Library every Thursday for Arkansas Sounds Presents, a free online watch party of Arkansas music and culture, including unreleased performances, interviews and related content from the CALS Arkansas Sounds archives. This week CALS Arkansas Sounds presents a tribute to legendary Arkansas jazz artist and educator, Art Porter, Sr. The Porter playlist includes the Arkansas PBS documentary A Music Treasure and rare live performances and interviews from Porter’s groundbreaking television program The Minor Key. This virtual event is free and open to the public.
February 12
12 p.m. — Lunch & Learn with Marquese McFerguson
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is featuring Marquese McFerguson as its February artist. He will discuss his poetry and process during this free event which will be streamed via Facebook Live.
6 p.m. — #BuyBlackFridays
KLEK 102.5 FM in Jonesboro will host interviews with businesses under the four categories that will provide information to enlighten students, as well as the community about where to #BuyBlack. This event will be held every Friday of Black History Month on the ASU Multicultural Center’s Instagram Live. #BuyBlack will have a photo contest on the last week of Black History Month.
7 p.m. — Founder’s Day Program
The Northwest Arkansas chapter of the NAACP will celebrate Founder’s Day with this virtual event. Guest speakers include Kwami Abdul-Bey, co-founder of the Arkansas Peace and Justice Movement; Barry Jefferson, president of Jacksonville NAACP; and RoAnne Elliott from the Washington County Remembrance Project.
February 13
2 p.m. — Lift Every Voice
The Central Arkansas Library System is presenting a series of virtual poetry workshops to encourage teens and young adults to create and perform poetry. This week’s session will feature Victory Jackson, a nursing student at Philander Smith College, and Chauncey Williams-Wesley who is an award-winning poet motivational speaker, former Teen Poet Laureate for the Arkansas Literary Festival and a creative writing student at the University of Central Arkansas. Participation is free, but registration is required.
7 p.m. — KLEK Virtual Poetry Showcase and Auction
Tune in to 102.5 FM in Jonesboro or watch via Facebook Live for a virtual showcase featuring local poets and an auction of authentic African attire plus artwork as a fundraiser for KLEK.
7:30 p.m. — Jazz Tribute Featuring Nichole Thrower and Rodney Block
Music Moves is celebrating Valentine’s weekend with a jazz tribute featuring singer Nichole Thrower and trumpeter Rodney Block. Watch for free on the Music Moves Facebook page.