Activities opened Friday, Feb. 4, with a university chapel presentation by Mark Metzler Sawin, associate professor of history at 91短视频 and a former Fulbright scholar. Dr. Sawin shared powerful stories of local African-American groups and their faith, hope and struggles here the Valley of Virginia and at 91短视频.

Upcoming Black History Month events include:

• A historical presentation of the African American community in Harrisonburg led by Ruth Tolliver, followed by a tour to historical sites around the city, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12, including a display in the Simms Building of African American inventions. Transportation and light snacks will be provided. Persons should meet in the University Commons rooms 211-212 before 10 a.m.
• Philadelphia pastor and 91短视频 alumnus Leonard Dow will speak on “what does it mean to be alive in your faith? How can you LIVE fully in Jesus?” at 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 17 in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse in the University Commons.聽 The 91短视频 Gospel Choir opens this event, and refreshments are free compliments of campus ministries. Dow is leading spring spiritual life week, Feb. 16-19, at 91短视频.
• Local musician Jessica Crawford and the 91短视频 Gospel Choir will be in concert 9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 18 in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse. Admission is free.
• A community worship service with the 91短视频 Gospel Choir will take place 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 20, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building.聽 Join 91短视频 students and staff in a worshipful experience led by the Black Student Union.
• The annual Soul Food Caf茅 is back, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Come and enjoy a traditional African American dish while listening (and participating) in a surprise program. This annual event will be held in the Black Box Theater of the University Commons. General admission is $10 and $5 for students.

“The Soul Food Caf茅 is a favorite, usually the last event in our month-long celebration,” said Marvin Lorenzana, director of multicultural services at 91短视频. “Come join us for any of these activities for worship, music, food and meaningful conversation.”

For more information, contact Lorenzana at 540-432-4458.

A prominent pastor and community activist in Washington, D.C., will speak at 91短视频 as part of African-American History Month observances.

Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, senior minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in the nation’s capitol, will speak 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in 91短视频’s Lehman Auditorium. His message, entitled “From the Past toward a Brighter Future,” will focus on the current treatment of immigrants in the state of Virginia and the U.S. in general in the context of the history of struggles for racial justice.

Hagler attended public schools in Baltimore, Md., and earned a bachelor’s degree in religion from Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1976. Three years later he graduated from The Chicago Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in divinity. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, he founded a congregation in Boston, Mass., in 1980, worked at community issues in his racially-divided neighborhood and ran for mayor of that city in 1991. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1992.

Hagler is development director of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), the largest neighborhood stabilization organization in the United States, which helps working-class people become homeowners. He is chaplain to Local 25, Washington, D.C. of the Hotel Employees, Restaurant Employees/UNITE.

He is currently national president of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice, a national clergy organization within the UCC. He is also recognized with full standing in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Hagler’s presentation is sponsored by 91短视频’s Washington Community Scholars’ Center, campus ministries and the office of multicultural services.

The service is open to everyone free of charge.

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A theater piece that celebrates the energy, hope and faith of nine young people from the Bronx, New York City, will be performed twice at 91短视频 as part of Black History Month observances.

The play, “wHAcHAgoNNAdU?”, combines the words, stories, poetry and music of youth in confronting the deepest questions of their lives.

Performances will be given 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. in the Studio Theater at 91短视频.

Hyacinth Banks Stevens and Marisha Joseph of King of Glory Tabernacle in the Bronx and Ingrid De Sanctis, a former theater professor at 91短视频, worked with the young people to create a dramatic venue for their creative expressions.

The troupe gave the play several times at the Mennonite General Assembly convention held the first week of July, 2003, in Atlanta, Ga.

The performances are sponsored by (Learning, Exploring and Participating), a new iniative at Eastern Mennonite Seminary to help young people discern and sharpen their leadership gifts and to explore the ministry as a potential vocation.

The studio theater is located on ground floor at the south end of 91短视频’s University Commons.

Admission is $5 in advance, $7 at the door.

For reservations, call the 91短视频 box office at 540-432-4582.