To celebrate Black History Month, South Point Elementary School in East Grand Forks will present its annual fourth-grade program, "Ten Who Counted -- Influential African Americans you might not know," at 1:15, 2, 6 and 7 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free.
n A performance of "Daughters of Africa" by the Mixed Blood Theatre Co. is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in Kiehle Auditorium at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. It is free to the public.
"Daughters of Africa" features music made famous by Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and others in a celebration of famous and unheralded African American women.
The women portrayed include Harriet Tubman, who led hundreds to freedom via the Underground Railroad; Elizabeth Freeman, whose legal struggle abolished slavery in Massachusetts; Madame C. J. Walker, America's first black millionairess, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Rosa Parks and Oprah Winfrey.
n A recognition program in tribute to African Americans who have served in the U.S. military is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 8 in Kiehle Auditorium, as well.
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The theme for the evening is honor, and students will pay tribute to people they feel exemplify honor, including comedian Bill Cosby, NBA center David Robinson, television personality Montel Williams, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and actors James Earl Jones and Laurence Tureaud, better known as Mr. T.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Grand Forks Air Force Base Color Guard will present the colors, and senior Athena Mussenden will be speaking on Black History Month and relating it to the evening's theme.
For more information on these events, call Thomas Williams, director of diversity and multicultural services, at (218) 281-8580.
