“Black Beauty, the beauty of our people” is this year’s theme for Black History Month, which is in February. Put together by the Black Student Alliance, the events promise to educate, draw recognition and hopefully open everyone’s mind.

The BSA has been planning and organizing Black History Month for the past five months, and President Jenee Hurst feels that the BSA does a better job each year.

“It’s important to let people know that we’re here,” Hurst stated.

The events kick off on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with the showing of “School Days,” a Spike Lee film loosely describing black fraternities, and John Singleton’s “Higher Learning.” The screenings will take place at the Office of Multicultural Affairs located at 1981 S. University Blvd.

On Feb. 9, there will be a stepshow, a performance of rhythmical movements, in the Driscoll Ballroom at 8:30 p.m. Afterwards, radio station U102 will host a party that will last until 2 a.m.

A brownbag luncheon presentation focusing on Philip Reid, a slave who helped construct the Denver capitol building in the 1890s, will be held on Feb.13 at noon in the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 15 in the Alumni House, the BSA will be serving soulfood, showing a movie and running group games.

On Feb. 19, in the Lindsay Auditorium, documentary director Jesse Rhines will give a presentation on the history of blacks in cinema.

A praise celebration, to be held on Feb. 23 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Whatley Chapel, will feature song, dance and poetry. Students Shantel Jones, Oaklea Rowe and Professor Arthur Jones of the Psychology Department will perform individually. Three choirs and an all-male group from Denver will also sing. There will be a dramatic reading of RuNell Ni Ebu’s poem “Why did you make me black?”

Maxine Maxwell, a dramatic speaker who tells an account of black history through a character, will be performing Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Sturm Hall Auditorium.

For more information on the events contact Hurst at jhurst@du.edu.