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Several organizations have announced plans to host a range of events and programs throughout February for a community-wide celebration of Black History Month.
The events and programs, collectively called Black History Month Columbus, will focus on stories of resilience and have been organized by the African American Fund, Paths 2 Success, the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area chapter of the NAACP and the African American Pastors Alliance, the organizations said in a press release.
Among the events are a month-long local African-American historical exhibit called “And Still We Rise” at The Commons, a series of screenings of free Black movies at YES Cinema, a community worship service at The Commons that will be led by local Black churches and a jazz concert featuring Indianapolis-based pianist Christopher Pitts.
Some of the movies include “42,” the biographical film about the life of Jackie Robinson, the first Black Major League Baseball movie; “Glory,” a historical film about an African American regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War, among several others.
The goal of the community-wide celebration is to create momentum for community collaboration through inspiring and educational experiences, the organizations said.
Organizers said they also have branded Black History Month Columbus as a platform to create a common voice for the Black community in Columbus beyond the month of February.
In preparation for the month-long observation, a Black History Month community calendar will become available detailing the full list of events and programming happening around the city. More information about the events can be found at www.blackhistorycolumbus.com.
The organizations said they have partnered with Cummins Inc., Heritage Fund Community Foundation, Columbus Regional Health and Taylor Bros. Construction. Inc. to make the events and programs possible.
Additionally, more than 20 organizations have come together, including United Way Bartholomew County, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., Bartholomew County Public Library, Ivy Tech Community College, IUPUC and Columbus Enrichment Program, to host events that will drive the momentum of Columbus Black History Month, the organizers said.
