Averett Invites Community to Celebrate Black History Month through Series of Events

Posted on February 1st, 2018 by Cassie Jones

By Ashley Bowman
Special to the Office of Marketing and Communications

Kicking off Black History Month, Averett University will be hosting several events and is inviting the community to come take part.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, there will be an Open Mic Night in the Student Center’s back café from 8-10 p.m., 204 Woodland Dr. This event will allow Averett students, faculty, staff and community members to showcase individual talents as well as learn more about Black History Month.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, there will be a showing of Cars 3 in Blount Chapel in Frith Hall, 160 Mountain View Ave, from 6-9 p.m. Representatives from the Wendell Scott Foundation will be hosting the event, showcasing the history and legacy of Wendell Scott, Danville native and first African-American to win a race in the Winston Cup Series. In 2015, Scott was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and his likeness can be found in Cars 3 with the character of “River Scott.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Arts@Averett presents the film, Loving. Dr. Andrew Canady, assistant professor of history, will host a screening of the film Loving from 7-9 p.m. in the Student Center, on the second floor in the multipurpose room. Loving tells the story of a Virginia couple, Richard and Mildred Loving, whose interracial relationship was the center of controversy and a 1967 Supreme Court ruling.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, Arts@Averett is bringing the Winston Salem State Singing Rams to campus from 7-9 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center, 150 Mountain View Ave. Under the leadership and baton of Maestra D’Walla Simmons Burke, the choir has traveled to the Bahamas, Czech Republic and South Africa, performing with major symphony orchestras including the D’Vorak Symphony Orchestra, Colour of Music Symphony Orchestra and Gateways Festival Orchestra to name a few. They have recorded nine CDs, performed at Carnegie Hall, John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Alice Tully Hall of the Lincoln Center and have been nominated for a Grammy.

All events in the Arts@Averett series are open to the public. Ticket pricing varies, and some events are free. For the full Arts@Averett season schedule or more information, visit http://www.averett.edu/about-us/arts-averett/averett-arts-schedule/ or call (434) 791-5600.