During the month of February, Averett University is observing Black History Month with four events. The University invites you to join us in celebrating the achievements of African Americans and remembering their central role in U.S. history. The events will provide an opportunity for learning, discussion and festivity for the entire community.

The events begin, this Thursday, Feb. 2, with The Kuumba Dance Company. The Kuumba Dance Company shares West African culture through song, rhythm and dance by demonstrating how celebrations are carried out in traditional West African settings. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Carrington Gym, under the Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center, 150 Mountain View Ave. Tickets are $5.

Then, on Thursday, Feb. 9, Averett is hosting The Poetry Project, an organization that prides itself on using poetry to teach, inspire and build the communities we call home. Through structured workshops, performances and open mics, it creates safe spaces to share our lives and tell our stories. This art form has the power to transcend barriers and bring people together. Prepare to be intrigued, inspired and reminded of just how powerful your voice can be through an evening of spoken word poetry. The event starts at 7 p.m. in the David S. Blount Chapel in Frith Hall, 160 Mountain View Ave. Tickets are $5.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Averett will show “Dear White People,” a satirical drama film released in 2014 that focuses on escalating racial tensions at a prestigious Ivy League college from the perspective of several African-American students. Following the film there will be a conversation led by Averett faculty and staff about the movie and how the movie’s themes relate to Danville in 2017. The movie starts at 7 p.m. in the David S. Blount Chapel in Frith Hall, 160 Mountain View Ave. The event is free.

To wrap up the month’s events, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, join us for the CORE Ensemble “Of Ebony Embers – Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance.” “Of Ebony Embers” is a music theatre production that explores the life and times of African Americans who helped shape the Harlem Renaissance. It examines the lives of three outstanding, but very different, African American poets – Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center, 150 Mountain View Ave. Tickets are $5.

These events are part of the 2016-17 Arts@Averett series. Click here for the full list of events or more information.