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BRIDGEPORT Mayor Bill Finch will kick off the City's observance of Black History Month on this evening at 6 p.m. at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center with special guest, South African Consul Gugulethu Gingqi, who will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
By ELAINE K. FICARRAThroughout the month of February, the City will host a series of events celebrating the diverse talents and contributions of the African American community in the Park City. Highlights of the full slate of events include a visit from the legendary Harlem Globetrotters on February 21 at Webster Bank Arena, a tribute to Stevie Wonder also being held on February 21 at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and the 2014 Business Expo and Multicultural Marketplace hosted by the Small & Minority Business Resource Office on March 7 at Housatonic Community College.
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions of the African-American heroes and their extraordinary achievements that have helped shape our nations history, said Finch. I encourage residents to participate in the variety of events we have scheduled celebrating Bridgeports diversity and the proud history and heritage of our African-American community.Thursday nights festivities and tribute will also include the opening of Gallery@999s newest exhibit featuring artwork from local artists that celebrate African-American heritage, local choirs, drum lines and much more.
Schedule of Black History Month Events Schedule also available online at www.bridgeportct.gov/blackhistorymonth
02/06 @ 6:00 pm **Black History Month Kickoff Reception at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center Join Mayor Finch and the South African Consul Gugulethu Gingqi as we celebrate the life and legacy of the Honorable Nelson Mandela. Tributes include local choirs, drum lines and MAAFA moments. 02/06 @ 7:00 p.m. If You Build It by Patrick Creadon at the Bijou Theatre An awe-inspiring documentary follows the story of two architects, Emily and Matt, as they show us what's possible in one of North Carolina's poorest neighborhoods. Faced with rising unemployment rates, a struggling educational system and simmering racial tension the people of Bertie County North Carolina turn to Emily, Matt and their students for help. Emily and Matt soon discover that what the class designs and builds for their hometown has a chance to transform their community for generations to come. 02/07 @ 6:00 pm **Friday Night @ the Movies at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center A Place Out of Time The Bordentown School: When America cared little about the education of African Americans, and discrimination was law and custom, the Bordentown School was an educational utopia. An incubator for black pride and intellect, it taught values, discipline and life skills to generations of African American children. 02/08 @ 4:00 pm **Juneteenth Black History Month Worship Service at Mount Aery Baptist Church Join the Juneteenth family in celebration of Black History Month. The program includes local choirs, drum lines and a featured soloist. 02/20 @ 5:30 pm **Common Threads at the City Lights Art Gallery An art exhibit of African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro Latino and African America Artists who work with fabric. Works will include original quilts by Mary Lee Bendolph and Loretta Pettway Bennett, Batik quilts from Nigeria by world acclaimed Nigerian artists. 02/21 11:00 a.m. **Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S at Jettie Tisdale Elementary School Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH) is an organization committed to innovative public health solutions. Our mission is to end health illiteracy through music and foster positive health behavior changes. The cornerstone of HHPH programming is the use of hip hop music, short animated features, and health video games as part of a multimedia curriculum designed to motivate healthy behaviors among children and their families. Collaborating artists include Doug E. Fresh, Chuck D from Public Enemy, DMC of Run DMC and Easy AD from the Cold Crush Brothers. Seven-time Emmy Award-winning producer, Ian Ellis James, formerly of Sesame Street, develops all HHPH storyboards and cartoons through a transdisciplinary creative developmental process that includes the participation of a Student Advisory Board. 02/21 @ 6:00 pm **Friday Night @ the Movies at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center Glory Road: In 1966, college basketball was almost completely segregated. Don Haskins, coach of Texas Western College, known for his tough decision and larger-than-life personality breaks the color barrier. He was the first to start five Black basketball players in the NCAA finals against an all-white team and unseated the nationally top-ranked University of Kentucky. This victory became the impetus for the desegregation of all college teams in the South. 02/21 @ 7:00 pm Harlem Globetrotters at the Webster Bank Arena An exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre and comedy. 02/21 7:30 p.m. Tribute to Stevie Wonder at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre Gabriel Bello & Natural Wonder performs Stevie Wonders greatest hits You Are The Sunshine of My Life Isnt She Lovely Superstition and more! 02/22 5:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Tribute to Stevie Wonder at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre Gabriel Bello & Natural Wonder performs Stevie Wonders greatest hits You Are The Sunshine of My Life Isnt She Lovely Superstition and more! 02/23 1:00 p.m. **Healthy Heart Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church Know Your Numbers. We live our lives by the numbers: phone numbers, PIN numbers and social security numbers. But do you know the heart health numbers that could literally save your life? There are three key numbers you need -- including one surprisingly easy one that could give you a lifesaving preview of your cardiac risk.
- Your blood pressure
- Your cholesterol levels
- Your waist size
**Denotes free events
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