ECSU's 2010 Black History Month Events

Elizabeth City State University celebrates Black History Month with the following public events:

February 9
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Room # 138 of Johnson Hall
Screening of the film, "Spinning Into Butter." This 2007 film, provides a unique and surprising examination of the complexities surrounding ethnic preconceptions and ethnic relations within a small, Vermont, college community.

February 10 - 11
9:00 am - 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm at the ECSU Planetarium. Shows begin every 30 minutes but reservations are needed.

Explore the far reaching influences of African Americans throughout U.S. history and look at their contributions in government, business, education, labor, law, the arts, science and more. Examine slavery, the struggle for freedom, the role of African-Americans in the Civil War and the often overlooked influence of Africans on westward expansion. The Planetarium, with additional seating, can accommodate as many as 70 students per show. Groups may reserve show seats by contacting the planetarium at (252) 335-3759. See www.ecsu.edu for more details.

February 17
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room #138 of Johnson Hall
A symposium presentation entitled, "The Effort to Educate: Rosenwald Schools in Northeastern North Carolina. This symposium, will examine and illustrate the emergence of Rosenwald schools in northeastern North Carolina from 1910 to circa 1933. Rosenwald schools, funded partially by Sears and Roebuck president, Julius Rosenwald, were established as a means to fill in the deficient expenditure gaps of early southern Black education .While most regions in the South received building funding, North Carolina stands out as having received the most number of those grant-based schools. This symposium will be presented by Ms. Gregory Tyler, who is a curator and genealogist employed by Historic Hope Plantation in Windsor, N.C.

February 24
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room #138 Johnson Hall
A one-woman theatrical presentation entitled, "Up Among the Birds: The Life of Bessie Coleman, First African-American Woman Aviator". This re-enactment will be presented by Ms. Cynthia Brickey. Ms. Brickey is a retired U.S. military registered nurse, whose avocation is the research and recreation of historical figures. Within the last seven to eight years, Ms. Brickey has written and performed a number of one-act plays based upon the lives of historically significant figures such as Harriet Tubman, and Delaney Sisters.

February 25
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Room #138 of Johnson Hall
A screening of the film, "Carbon Copy." This 1981 film, which stars Denzel Washington as the orphaned "long lost" African-American son of a successful Caucasian corporate executive, provides a lighthearted, yet informative illustration of ethnic stereotypes and entitlement in contemporary America.

For more information, contact Professor Tonya Blair in the ECSU History and Political Science Department, 252-335-3163.


Kesha Williams
Director of Media Relations
Office of University Relations & Marketing
Elizabeth City State University
Campus Box 778
1704 Weeksville Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
252-335-3686
FAX: 252-335-3769