Black History Month in February is a wonderful time for all people to pay homage to past and current African American achievements, culture and leaders.
If you are interested in participating in Black History Month celebrations, lectures, expos, conferences and events in the downtown Phoenix area, here is a list of opportunities for you:
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center Presents An Evening with Lonnie Bunch on Feb. 9
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, a Phoenix-based museum which features exhibits showcasing the African American history and life, will host an evening with Lonnie G. Bunch, Ph.D., the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).
The event will include a talk by Dr. Bunch, a question and answer session, hors d’oeuvres, and an optional tour of the Carver Museum.
When: Feb. 9, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 415 East Grant St., Phoenix
Prior to his July 2005 appointment as director of NMAAHC, Bunch served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society, one of the nation’s oldest museums of history. Bunch has also held several positions at the Smithsonian including associate director for curatorial affairs at the National Museum of American History, and education specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
“This event will be a must for anyone interested in knowing, preserving, and investing in their heritage,” said Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, President of the Board, George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.
2010 Arizona African American Legislative and Leadership Conference on Feb. 11-12 in Phoenix
The 2010 African American Legislative and Leadership Conference will be held on Feb. 11-12 at the Arizona State Capitol Complex, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.
The mission of the African American Legislative Conference is to introduce African Americans to Arizona’s legislative processes and to engage them in providing new ideas and leadership for the state.
This year’s theme is “Passing the Flame to the Next Generation.”
Please visit the Web site below for more information and registration:
http://www.aallcaz.org
Black History Month Expo in Phoenix on Feb. 13
Join thousands of people from the community during the Black History Month Expo on Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the George Washington Cultural Center in Phoenix.
This is a free event!
Come experience the culture as the Black History Month Expo will have non-stop performances on stage, vendor booths and much more!
Special guests will be appearing throughout the day.
Please continue to visit the Black History Month section on my Web site – PhxSoul.com – for the most up-to-date information on Black History Month events in Downtown Phoenix and all over the Valley of the Sun!
Written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Steven Trask, the original off Broadway production ran in the late 90s and was made into a movie in 2001. It has become what some would call a cult classic with the devoted fans nicknamed “Hed Heads.” I’m thrilled that the live version is once again gracing a stage in Phoenix.
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This is one of the premier gatherings for the African American community in Arizona. The Expo offers local residents an incredible opportunity to learn about black businesses and network with one another in an exciting, supportive environment. People of all races are encouraged to attend!
The 5,400-square-foot Downtown space at 147 E. Adams Street is chock-full of beautiful and provocative artwork by noted Arizona artists like Zarco Guererro, Martin Moreno, Juliet de la Rosa, Jim Covarrubias, Marco Albarran, Jose Benevides, Dora Hernandez and many others, but the cultural center is much more than a gallery.
Best known as the enigmatic lead singer of the multi-platinum rock bands Tool and A Perfect Circle, Keenan has built a reputation as one of the most influential music minds of the last 20 years.
Fortunately, there’s no time to mope about Knicks loss because a) the Suns still own one of the NBA’s best records; and b) tonight they visit their old pal Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and the 12-5 Cavaliers. Since opening the season at 0-2 the Cavaliers have ripped off 12 wins in 15 games and once again find themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Suns were swept by Cleveland in last year’s two-game season series with Mo Williams averaging 37 points in the two Cavs victories. Steve Nash has averaged 25 points in his last three games against Cleveland. (Update: The Suns lost 107-90.)
I claim to have quite a fondness for 
