The University of South Carolina Beaufort will present programming promoting cross-cultural awareness on campus and in the community during February 2019. “Reconstructing Freedom: African American History Month at USC Beaufort” will kick off on February 1, 2019 with an opening reception on the Hilton Head Island campus and will include a variety of events such as lectures and documentary screenings throughout the month. SC Humanities supported this program with a Mini Grant in December 2018.
Project Director Dr. Najmah Thomas said that surveys administered at USC Beaufort indicated a low level of awareness of or interest in courses on African American studies among non-African American students. The goal of the “Reconstructing Freedom” programming is to raise awareness, acknowledge contributions , and apply lessons learned from the African American perspective in history for all Americans, including USCB students and staff, as well as members of the larger Lowcountry community.
The programming will include ten events over the month of February:
Friday, February 1, 2019 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
Location: Hilton Head Island Campus
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Reconstructing Freedom Faculty/Guest Panel
Featuring Brent Morris, Ahmad Ward, and Victoria Small
Location: Hargray Lobby, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Friday, February 8, 2019 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Orangeburg Massacre – Documentary Screening and Discussion
Featuring Dr. Jack Bass
Followed by candlelight vigil
Library Room 267, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Friday, February 8, 2019 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration
Voices of El Shaddai Gospel Concert
Off Campus Event
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
History and Culture in Healthcare
Featuring Maj. Gen. Dr. Irene Trowell Harris
Location: Campus Center 105, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Thursday, February 14, 2019 | 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight
Freedom Ball: Harlem Renaissance
Formal Dance
Location: Campus Center 105, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Poetry and Pancakes
Featuring Ebony Stewart
Location: Campus Center 105, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Monday, February 25, 2019 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Black Angels Documentary Screening
Location: Newcastle Commons, Beaufort Campus, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Reconstructing Freedom Faculty/Guest Panel II
Featuring Brent Morris, Ahmad Ward, and Victoria Small
Location: Campus Center 105, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
Thursday, February 28, 2019 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Past, Present, and Future of the Divine 9
Closing and Call to Action
Location: Campus Center 105, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton
For more information about the “Reconstructing Freedom” series of programs, contact Dr. Najmah Thomas at 843-208-8339 or NTHOMAS2@uscb.edu.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.
