Oberlin Presents Black History Month Events through March

Oberlin’s celebration of Black History Month begins this week and continues through the month of March with a wide range of public events.

Together, these programs honor the theme "Black History Year," which reflects the conviction that the study of Black people and culture merits attention beyond the boundaries of a dedicated month. To coincide with March's designation as Women's History Month, many events also emphasize the achievements and experiences of Black women.

The mid-month start of programming is the result of Oberlin’s altered academic calendar for 2021-22, which sees students returning to campus this week for spring semester—nearly three weeks later than in normal years.

The schedule of conservatory programming is listed below. Information about many additional events on campus can be found on the Black History Month page at Oberlin.edu.

Alumni Panel:
Welcome (Back) to the Table: A Conversation for Black Students on Navigating Oberlin and Beyond
Saturday, February 26, at 4:30 p.m.
Birenbaum Innovation and Performance Space
A host of Oberlin alumni reflect on their experiences as students and young professionals. Featured panelists include Kiéla Adira ’18, Daniella Hope ’18, Khalid Taylor ’17, Andre Cardine ’18, and Ti Ames '19.

Concert:
Linking Legacies: Sounds of Oberlin Composers
Sunday, February 27, at 4 p.m.
West Shore Unitarian Church (20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River)
Pianist Dianna White-Gould '84 and violist Chris Jenkins—Oberlin Conservatory’s associate dean for academic support—perform music by Oberlin composers including Nathaniel Dett (class of 1908), William Grant Still (Hon. ’47), Dolores White ’54, and H. Leslie Adams ’55. This program is presented by the Cleveland Music Settlement.

Panel Discussion and Q&A:
Diversity in the Arts: Challenges and Perspectives
Saturday, March 5, at 4:30 p.m.
Warner Concert Hall
Black faculty members representing a range of artistic disciplines offer their perspectives on challenges and cross-disciplinary opportunities for Black participation in the arts. Featured panelists include Talise Campbell (dance), Johnny Coleman (art), Justin Emeka (theater), La Tanya Hall (jazz), Katherine Jolly (classical performance), and Jeff Scott (classical performance and composition). The conversation will be moderated by Chris Jenkins, associate dean for student academic support in the conservatory.

Concert:
Music of Hailstork, Still, and Price
Tuesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Finney Chapel
Oberlin faculty organist Christa Rakich joins forces with violist Chris Jenkins for a performance of works by celebrated composers Adolphus Hailstork, Florence Price, and William Grant Still.

Concert:
Oberlin Jazz Ensemble with Oberlin Jazz Faculty
Monday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Finney Chapel
Conservatory jazz students share the stage of Finney Chapel with their mentors in this special performance.

Virtual Panel:
Perspectives on Gender in African American Music
Wednesday, March 30, at noon
Four Black female-identifying musicologists with ties to Oberlin address issues of gender and race in the historiography of Black music. Participants include Oberlin faculty member Courtney-Savali Andrews, Ambre Dromgoole ’15 (Yale University), Fredara Hadley (Juilliard School), Alisha Lola Jones ’03 (University of Cambridge), and moderator Ava Brown ’22.