NMU Plans Black History Month Events

Chef, farmer and cultural foodways advocate Yusuf Bin-Rella

Northern Michigan University has announced Black History Month activities in February, including a Soul Food Sunday buffet-style feast prepared by Madison chef Yusuf Bin-Rella, a community roller-skating event and film screenings.

Bin-Rella is a celebrated chef, farmer and advocate for cultural foodways. He has worked alongside Michael Twitty, the renowned culinary historian and author of The Cooking Gene. Bin-Rella is a chef at the University of Wisconsin, Madison's Dejope Residence Hall, and at TradeRoots Culinary Collective, a group of Afro-culinary genealogists exploring lineage through food, which he co-founded. He will prepare a soul food feast that will be offered from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, in the Northern Center Ballroom. He will also share insights on the origins of soul food, and how traditional dishes tell stories of survival, resilience and creativity. Tickets are $55 and available at nmu.universitytickets.com. All proceeds will support Juneteenth 2025.

Other Black History Month events, all free of charge are:

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Roll Bounce movie screening and kahoot from 7-9 p.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium. This 2005 American comedy-drama follows a group of teenagers from the south side of Chicago. When their roller-skating rink closes down, they enter the roller-skating contest at a ritzy rink on the north side. Afterward, kahoot on the impact of Black artistry in 1980s culture.

Saturday, Feb. 8: “Love & Unity: Skate Through History,” 3-7 p.m. in Innovation Hall in the Jacobetti Complex. This ‘80s-themed roller-skating event will celebrate the cultural impact of skating rinks in Black communities. It will feature classic ‘70s and ‘80s music, free popcorn, a photo booth and limited skates for rent. It pairs with the Condom Carnival, a fun and inclusive event that combines interactive games with comprehensive sex education. Each booth offers opportunities to learn about sexual health, consent, safe sex practices and more. Bus transportation will be available from The Woods loop every 30 minutes.

Tuesday, Feb. 11: Spades classic card game tournament, 6 p.m. in Jamrich Hall. Open to new or seasoned players, with instructions on how to play made available in advance and practice rounds before the tournament begins. The double-elimination format is limited to 16 teams and lasts four rounds, with prizes to the top teams. Register teams by Feb. 9.

Thursday, Feb. 13: Black Love Day. Ayo Handy-Kendi, founder of the African American Holiday Association, created this holiday in 1993. It emphasizes five tenets of love: love for the Creator, self, family, community and the Black race. NMU will spread love through desserts and candy grams, each including a note explaining the holiday and sharing ways to spread joy and positivity.  

Thursday, Feb. 13: NMU students will have an opportunity to take a bus trip to Bay College in Escanaba to attend Makin' Cake, a thought-provoking performance by acclaimed writer, former Milwaukee poet laureate and spoken word artist Dasha Kelly Hamilton. Makin' Cake cuts into the history of cake, revealing what its ingredients and evolution can teach us about race, class and equity in America. The performance combines storytelling, humor and insight to spark meaningful conversations about culture and social change. Limited space is available for NMU students to board a bus at 4:30 p.m. for a 5 p.m. departure to catch the 7 p.m. show at Bay College.

Thursday, Feb. 27: Disney's “Ruby Bridges” film screening, 8:30 p.m. in The Science Building room 2701. This 1998 drama presents the real-life tale of young Ruby Bridges (played by Chaz Monet), one of the first African-American children to attend an integrated school in the Deep South. At only age 6, Ruby is selected to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, causing an uproar in the racially divided region. Among the people who try to help Ruby adjust to the tense situation are teacher Barbara Henry (Penelope Ann Miller) and Dr. Robert Coles (Kevin Pollak), a child psychiatrist. 

Most events are presented by NMU's Black Student Union and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on Black History Month activities, contact 906-227-2000.

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Categories: Around NMU, Strategic Plan