Owens Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events and activities
highlighting and honoring the role and impact of African Americans throughout this country’s history.
The public is encouraged to join the campus community for guest speakers and educational awareness
programs.
"Owens Community College is proud to celebrate Black History Month by honoring and recognizing the
many achievements and contributions black Americans have made to shape and define our country,"
said Chris Giordano, Owens dean of student life. "I encourage area residents to engage themselves
in Owens’ various events surrounding Black History Month and draw inspiration from their important
messages."
Owens activities occurring during Black History Month on the Perrysburg Township campus include:
¥ Monday – Black History and culture discussion With Ohio Sen. Edna Brown, 10 a.m. in the Audio/Visual
Classroom Center Rooms 127-128. Brown will provide insight into the past, present and future of
diversity in America based on her own personal accounts. Brown was elected to serve Toledo and Ohio’s
11th Senate District in November 2010. She comes from the Ohio House of Representatives, where she
represented Ohio’s 48th House District. Since her arrival in the General Assembly, Brown has worked on
issues of voting rights, health, violence against women and economic development.
¥ Tuesday – "Ballou" documentary film screening and discussion at 2 p.m. in College Hall Room
100. Area residents are invited to view a film screening of "Ballou." The 86-minute
documentary provides insight into the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band from Washington, D.C., and
their journey from band camp to the National High Stepping Marching Band Competition in Birmingham, Ala.
Throughout their journey, the marching band had to overcome many obstacles highlighted by a negative
community environment filled with guns, drugs and violence to reach their goals. Undeterred by the
negativity, the group, led by marching band director Darrell Watson, was able to uplift the community
with their music and positive attitudes and eventually became an award-winning marching band. The film
screening will be followed with an open discussion with marching band director Darrell Watson.
¥ Thursday – "Achieving Success" lecture presentation with Toledo Mayor Michael Bell at 11 a.m.
in the Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 127-128. Bell will provide attendees with an inspirational
message about overcoming obstacles and achieving success in pursuit of personal goals. He will share
with the audience his own personal experiences and how they played a significant role in achieving his
own success. Bell was elected mayor of Toledo in 2009. His career in public service began in 1980 when
he joined the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and later became a certified
paramedic/EMT. In 1990, he was appointed as chief of the Toledo and Rescue Department. Bell was the
first African American as well as the youngest person ever to lead the organization. He remained in that
position for over 16 years until he was appointed state fire marshal in 2007.
¥ Feb. 24 – College Conjuring – Deception 101 Tour With Ran’D Shine at noon in the Campus Student Health
and Activities Center. Awarding-winning performer, producer and educator of magic, Shine will display
his magical talents as well as share insight into his life as an artist, teacher and an African-American
male. Nationally-acclaimed, Shine is a frequent performer at Monday Night Magic, which is regarded as
New York City’s longest running Off-Broadway magic show, and has showcased his talents at Hollywood’s
The Magic Castle. Additionally, he has produced several magic shows highlighted by the "Heart and
Soul of Magic," which was the first magic show to feature an all black American cast of magicians.
For additional information about Owens’ Black History Month activities, call (567) 661-7421 or (800)
GO-OWENS, ext. 7421.
