"I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madame C. J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a bridge." —Oprah Winfrey
In honor of Black History Month, we've compiled a selection of events for all to enjoy. Peace. —Eve Doster
Thursday, Feb. 1: African-American Students in a White Culture — Join Detroit Free Press columnist Desiree Cooper and OU staff and students for a frank discussion of race in today's academic realm. Noon-1 p.m. at the Kresge Library on the campus of Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Rd., Rochester; 313-370-4404.
Friday, Feb. 2: Talk with Sister Souljah — One of the hip-hop generation's fiercest voices, the rapper-cum-activist-cum-author will discuss her latest book, No Disrespect, a brutally honest look back at life by an African-American woman. At 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books, 1012 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-963-8840.
Saturday, Feb. 3: Kasa Nokware Lecture Series — The topic of discussion is "The Reparations Controversy Today: Confusion over Black Power and What Happened to the Black Manifesto in 1969." From 4 to 6 p.m. at Akwaaba Community Center, 8045 Second, Detroit; 313-595-5526.
Saturday, Feb. 3: The Acoustic Big Gig! — Monroe County's free month-long black history celebration brings the sounds of Saffire — the Uppity Blues Women; Cephas & Wiggins, masters of the Piedmont blues style; and roots-music legend Josh White Jr. At 7 p.m. at the La-Z-Boy Center, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe; 313-242-7300. Visit monroe.lib.mi.us/blues_2007.htm for comprehensive listings.
Saturday, Feb. 3: African-American Family Day — Activities include a performance by Motown-inspired singer Mia Johnson; African drum and dance by Hakim; "Girls Empowered" and "Etiquette for Boys," lectures for inner-city teens and more. Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1805. This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Feb. 7: Songs of Liberation from African and African-American Sources — Hear the songs that helped to inspire many to fight for their basic right to freedom. From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Schaver Music Recital Hall, Detroit. Call 313-577-5471.
Thursday, Feb. 8: August Wilson's King Hedley II — Written by America's most influential African-American playwright. The City Theatre, 2301 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-872-0273. Tickets are $15-$28. Runs until Sunday, March 4.
Friday, Feb. 9: Sphinx Competition Winner — A special performance from the winner of this year's Sphinx Competition, an event devised to celebrate young African-American and Latino string players, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900.
Friday, Feb. 9-Sunday, Feb. 11: Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round — Play based on Dr. Martin Luther Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. At 8 p.m. at the Millennium Centre, 15600 J.L. Hudson Dr., Southfield; 248-796-5191. Tickets are $25-$50.
Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11: Color-ography — Music, video projections and dance are used to celebrate the works of the prolific African-American painter Jacob Lawrence. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-961-3500.
Sunday, Feb. 11 and Wednesday, Feb. 14: Dances for Diaspora featuring Ngoma Za Amen Ra New Afrikan Dance Theatre — Traditional and modern African music and dance. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Detroit Community High School, 12675 Burt Rd., Detroit; 313-537-3570.
Sunday, Feb. 11: Robert Jones to honor legends of Black History — The WDET DJ takes listeners on a musical journey from spirituals to blues to contemporary styles. At 10 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-965-5422.
Saturday, Feb. 24: Artist Demonstration: Rico Africa — Local visual and performance artist Rico Africa uses acrylic paint, collage and found objects to create works that are autobiographical yet engaging. Noon-4 p.m. at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900.
Saturday, Feb. 24: Africa in Antiquity and Slavery and the African Holocaust! —Two-part lecture featuring Jacqueline L. Tobin, author of From Midnight to Dawn: The Last Tracks of the Underground Railroad. Starts at noon at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, 13535 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-491-0777.
Sunday, Feb. 25: The Spirit of Harriet Tubman — Canadian actress Leslie McCurdy's one-woman show paints a portrait through Tubman's own words. At 2 p.m. at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900. (Also 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn; 313-582-2266)
Tuesday, Feb. 27: Memory, Memoirs and Remembering: African-American Life and Literature — Documentary screening and book-signing by Dr. Naomi Long Madgett, Detroit Poet Laureate; and Eddie Allen, journalist and author of Low Road: The Life and Legacy of Donald Goines. Noon-2 p.m. in the Community Room, Adamany Undergraduate Library, Wayne State University, Detroit. Call 313-577-2321.