ODU Black History Month Celebration to Feature Poets Tim Seibles and Remica Bingham-Risher
January 23, 2018
Tim Seibles
Remica Bingham-Risher
By Noell Saunders
Old Dominion University's Black History Month celebration is scheduled on Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Big Blue Room at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
The annual Black History Month event will focus on the theme 'Speaking Truth to Power'.
The celebration will feature Tim Seibles, the poet laureate of Virginia and renowned poet and author, Remica Bingham-Risher. In addition to the features, ODU students will read some of their poetry that night.
Tim Seibles is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Vermont College of Norwich University. In 2016, Seibles was appointed as the poet laureate of Virginia and has received several honors from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, an Open Voice Award from the National Writers Voice Project and the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award for poetry. Seibles is an English professor in the College of Arts and Letters.
Bingham-Risher is an alumna of Old Dominion University and Bennington College. She is a Cave Canem fellow and a recipient of the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. Among other journals, Bingham-Risher's work has been published in The Writer's Chronicle, New Letters, Callaloo and Essence magazine. She's currently the director of Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives at Old Dominion University.
Two books, "Starlight & Error" (Diode Editions, 2017) by Remica Bingham-Risher and "One Turn Around the Sun" (Etruscan, 2017) by Tim Seibles will be available for purchase during the event.
Old Dominion celebrates the contributions of African descendants during Black History Month. Author Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926 to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. In 1976, it became Black History Month. The University staff along with student organizations and community groups host a variety of events that highlight black culture, history and tradition.
Black History Month events at Old Dominion University include:
Black History Month Poetry Slam, Feb. 2, 7:30 to 10p.m.
Hampton Newport News Room, Webb University Center. An event where poets can showcase their work and talent.
Empowering Black Females: Building and Sustaining Bridges for Success, Feb. 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Hampton Newport News Room, Webb University Center. Panelists will engage in an interactive forum on black female empowerment.
Film Screening & Discussion of Ava DuVernay's 13th, Feb. 7, 6 to 8:30
ODU Learning Commons 1310-1311. A viewing of film director and screenwriter, Ava DuVernay's thought-provoking documentary centered on U.S. racism and mass incarceration. The film discussion will be led by Alison Reed and Kendrick McCray, Co-Directors of Humanities Behind Bars (HBB). Refreshments will be provided.
Black History Month Game Night, Feb. 8, 4 to 9p.m.
River Rooms, Webb University Center. Come as your favorite historical Black figure, celebrity, individual or African attire for an interactive game night filled with spades, Uno, black card revoked, taboo and more.
Black Art Matters 4, Feb. 8, 7 to 9 p.m.
North Cafe, Webb University Center. Black Art Matter 4 is a campus art expo for showcasing all forms of art and different talents.
A full list of events can be found on the Black History Month webpage. For more information, visit the Office of Intercultural Relations website or call 757-683-4406.
