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Part of Groups have big plans for Black History Month, February 2, 2005

Text: Groups have big plans for Black History Month
By NICOLE COLEMAN
A rts and Life Reporter

Black History Month has
arrived and the African Student
Association,
Black
Student
Union, and NAACP are ready to
celebrate and educate.
"This month is particularly spe
cial because one month is taken
out of the year to recognize and
honor the achievements of
African Americans," said Sharee
Hereford, a sophomore business
management major, and vice
president of the NAACP at UB.
The Black Student Union, a
club boasting 82 active mem
bers,will be holding their regular
general meetings Wednesdays at
5 p.m. in145B Student Union.
"A lot of the issues we talk

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about at the meetings are politi meetings are held Thursdays at
cal and economic issues that go 5 p.m. in the Student Union in
on within the African American Rooms 145B and · 145A respeccommunity," said Simone Hicks, tively.
the president of the Black Stu
"We 're trying to educate
dent Union . and a sophomore people a little more aboutAfrica,"
dual major in political science said Joyce Eleda, a sophomore
and economics. "It is a way to chemistry major, and treasurer of
come to a resolution about cer theAfrican SA.
tain issues."
According to Eleda, this
Wednesday meetings run an month's meetings will also
hour and a half long and about " include spotlights on countries
60 students attend each week, inAfrica.
she said.
At the beginning of this
The month's topics . are: "The month's heavy focus on the
Genocide of the African Ameri historical and social struggles of
can Youth: AIDS ," the "Under African Americans, BSU plans to
ground Railroad," "Endangered: take a carefree trip in an effort
The Black Family," and "Self to enjoy the present as much as
Hatred: Why do we deny our cul- learning about the past.
ture? "
From Feb. 4 to 6, in conjunc
African SA and NAACP general tion with Alpha Phi Alpa, the

Feb. 2, 2005

Black Student Union has a ski
trip in the Catskills planned. Tickets are on sale at the Sub-Board I
ticket office.
"That's just an extra fun activ
ity,"Hicks said.
On Monday, Feb. 7, Black
Women United, a Black Student
Union committee, plans to meet
in 145A Student Union at 5 p.m.
The group usually meets every
other week to discuss issues
affecting women of color.
On Feb. 8 the Black Student
Union, the NAACP, and Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. will be
holding a Health Fair in the SU
special events area.
Feb. 9 is Founder's Day for the
NAACP To commemorate, the
see MONTH page 8

February 2, 2005

Daily events
In a pageant-like contest to
find a Mr. and Mrs. Jambo, five
men and five women will choose
organization plans on taking an African country and tell the
overthe SU lobby.
audience about the country in
"We're giving, away free stuff, a unique way. SanKofa!, UB's
there will be music. And we're own African dance troupe, will
going to be talking about our perform at this year's "Jambo"
founders, black history, black and traditional African food will
inventors, black people who be served to lend to the atmo
have historically impactedAmer sphere of a celebration ofAfrican
ica," said Sharee Hereford.
culture. This year's prizes will be
The Black Student Union $200 for first place, $100 for sec
annual Harlem Night will be held ond, and $50 for third.
"We use this as a way for peo
on Feb. 12 in Harriman Hall on
South Campus at 6:30 p.m. in ple to learn about the countries
the main hall. Accordingto Hicks, and to see the beauty within
this year's theme "Stompin' at the those countries," said Eleda.
Savoy" was chosen because the "We're expecting about 400
Savoy was one of the few
night people."
Tickets for the event, •from
dubs during the Harlem Reri:US-:
sance era to allow the entrance which a portion of the proceeds
of blacks.
will be donated towards AIDS
"It is a tribute to the Harlem and education in Africa, are now
Renaissance," Hicks said."(There available at the SBI ticket office.
will be) performances, spoken
The following day, Feb. 20,
word. There will be beverages Black Women United will be
and food served."
hosting a Men's Appreciation
Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, Black dinner in Goodyear at 6 p.m.
"It's basically a tribute to the
Women United and Black Men
United, another BSD committee, African American males in our
are holding a meeting in 145A community," said Simone Hicks.
Student Union at 5 p .m. to dis
At the end ofthe month on Feb.
cuss "Black Love."
26, the Black Student Union will
The Office of Multicultural host Black Explosion, their high
Affairs will join forces with the profile annual dinner and fashion
three major organizations to host show, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
an African Bazaar in the SU on Tickets for this year's show, with
Feb. 16;from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
its theme "A Red Carpet Affair,"
"It is an awareness bazaar to are on sale in the Sub-Board I
dispel any stereotypes people ticket office.
For Eleda, this month is much
may have," said Joel Payton, a
senior early childhood education more than a series of isolated celmajor who is president of the ebrations.
African StudentAssociation.
"We remember our past every
Payton said foods and talent day and at all of our meetings.
from different African coun For us, every month is signifi
tries will be the main focus of cant," she said. "It's year-round.
the event in order to show the Every month we make sure we
"uniqueness of each culture."
celebrate our history and our
The African Student Associa- culture."
tion's annual "Jambo," a Swahili
word meaning "welcome,"will
be held on Feb.19.
e-mail: spectrum-arts@buffalo.edu
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