Paul Laurence Dunbar, Black History Month celebrated all month at Wright State

Paul Laurence Dunbar is widely acknowledged as the first important black poet in American literature. He enjoyed his greatest popularity in the early twentieth century following the publication of dialectic verse in collections such as Majors and Minors and Lyrics of Lowly Life.

Wright State University is celebrating Black History Month and the life and accomplishments of famed poet Paul Laurence Dunbar with several organized events in February.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, Paul Laurence Dunbar Celebration

Wright State University will celebrate the life and times of famed local poet Paul Laurence Dunbar with an opening reception. Also featuring an art exhibit by renowned artist Bing Davis and other local African-American artists.

6 p.m., Student Union Pathfinder Lounge

Wednesday, Feb. 8, Presentation of In His Own Words

Herbert Martin, Ph.D., will perform a one-man re-enactment of the great Dayton poet, Dunbar.

6 p.m., Student Union Pathfinder Lounge

Thursday, Feb. 9, Roots and Blues

Recalling the literary genius of the late Virginia Hamilton. Hamilton’s husband and author, Arnold Adoff, will perform the reading.

11:30 a.m., Hamilton/Adoff Resources Center, Multicultural Lounge (Lunch provided)

Thursday, Feb. 16, His Poetry, Our Way

Calling on all talents in the greater Dayton area. Participants of this open mic event may perform work by, about or inspired by Dunbar.

6 p.m., Rathskeller

(Sponsored by the NAACP Wright State University Student Chapter)

Friday, Feb. 17, NAACP fourth Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

Featuring Pastor Shawn Hamilton of Mt. Pisgah Church

6:30 p.m., Student Union Apollo Room

Tickets: $10

Monday, Feb. 20, Dunbar’s Legacy Revisited: Truth Revealed/Lies Exposed and More

Fireside chat with Dunbar expert and historian Charles Austin

6 p.m., Dunbar House, 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St., Dayton, Ohio

Tuesday, Feb. 21, Film: Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975

Film screening on The Black Power Movement in the ’60s and ’70s. Screening followed by a panel discussion

7 p.m., 120 Med. Sci. Auditorium (Co-sponsored by Young Democratic Socialist BSU)

Wednesday, Feb. 22, Black Confederate Soldiers: The Untold Story

Did black confederate soldiers fight for the south because they were slaves or because they believed in the cause? This presentation addresses these highly controversial issues.

12 p.m., Millett Hall Atrium, 6 p.m. Med. Sci. Auditorium

Thursday, Feb. 23, Lecture and Demonstration

Featuring the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) in honor of Dunbar

Bring your  nonperishable food items for the Wright State Friendship Food Pantry.

Light refreshments will be provided

Noon, Student Union Apollo Room

Thursday, Feb. 23, Black Panther to Barack Obama: The Politics of Hope and Change

Ohio State professor Hason Jeferies will present. He will also draw on elements from his book, which discusses origins of the Black Panther Party in Alabama.

4 p.m., 163 A Student Union

Tuesday, Feb. 28, Soul Food Dinner and a Movie Night

6 p.m., 140 Millett Hall, Bolinga Center