From Penn State Berks
Pictured above: Zuzu Acrobats. Photo courtesy of Zuzu Acrobats
In honor of Black History Month, Penn State Berks will host various events throughout February. All events are free and open to the community.
Zuzu Acrobats, 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, Tully’s Cafeteria, Perkins Student Center
Hailing from Tanzania, Zuzu Acrobats celebrates the 2,000-year-old Bantu culture of East Africa. The group’s performance features jaw-dropping acrobatics, singing, dancing, and more — all set to high-energy, fast-paced Lingala music. The group gained stardom after appearing on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009, where it was a semifinalist. This performance is sponsored by the Student Engagement and Leadership Office and the Office of Inclusive Excellence. For additional information, contact Warren Bair, coordinator of campus life, at WHB5070@psu.edu.
Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon, 12-3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, Thun Library, Room 137
Douglass Day, a project of the Center for Black Digital Research at Penn State University, is an annual program and live stream that marks the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass. Each year, thousands of people gather to transcribe archival documents to ensure that they are searchable, discoverable, and available for learning about Black history. Penn State Berks will host in-person transcribing while streaming the Douglass Day event broadcast. This year’s theme will feature the Colored Conventions and the 14th Amendment. The event is sponsored by the Thun Library and the Berks Black Student Union. For additional information, contact Melissa Millar, library services manager, at MUF107@psu.edu.
“Being Black at Berks,” 6:15-8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, Perkins Student Center Auditorium
“Being Black at Berks” is the Black Student Union’s signature Black History Month event. Celebrating its 8th anniversary, this year’s theme is “Cookout Chronicles.” The showcase highlights the talents, culture, and lived experiences of Black students at Penn State Berks, while engaging the wider campus and local community. Attendees are asked to register in advance. For additional information, contact Alexa Hodge, coordinator of student services and adviser to the Black Student Union, at AEH221@psu.edu.
