From "The People Could Fly"

UNC Asheville will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a host of special events. Among the highlights will be the opening of UNC Asheville's Intercultural Center, a Step Show featuring groups from across the Southeast and film screenings.

The full schedule of events is as follows:

• "The People Could Fly," an exhibition of 12 watercolor paintings by Hendersonville artist Costanza Knight, will be on view at UNC Asheville's Blowers Gallery February 1-28. The exhibition was inspired by a traditional African-American folktale of the same name. The watercolor paintings depict slaves who escape their bonds by calling upon their native African magic and literally fly away from the plantation. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Blowers Gallery, located on the main floor of UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library, is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 828/251-6546.

Dr. Caroline Simpson

• Therapist Caroline Simpson will discuss "Relationships: An Afrocentric Perspective" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at UNC Asheville Highsmith University Union, room 104. In her talk, Simpson will compare the notions of intimacy and sexuality in Africa and America. Simpson, who holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Auburn University, works in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Western Carolina University. She incorporates multicultural and humanistic counseling approaches into her work with students. The talk is free and open to the public.

• Step groups from across the Southeast will take center stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium for the Black Student Association's "Step It Out 2009." Step shows, popularized by historically black fraternities, feature high-energy synchronized dance routines, comprising elements of African dances and military exhibition drills. Groups from UNC Asheville, Radford University, UNC Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Winthrop College are set to perform. The show is free and open to the public.

• An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for UNC Asheville's new Intercultural Center will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, on the lower level of Highsmith University Union. The Center will house the offices of Multicultural Student Programs and the Center for Diversity Education. It will also provide space for student group meetings and small receptions. Chancellor Anne Ponder; Deborah Miles, director of the Center for Diversity Education; and Rory James, Multicultural Student Programs director, will give remarks. The event is free and open to the public.

Andrea Clarke self-portrait, c. 1970

• Asheville photographer Andrea Clarke will discuss "Visions in Black and White: Asheville's East End, A Community on the Cusp of Urban Renewal" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at UNC Asheville's Humanities Lecture Hall. From 1969-1971, Clarke documented the changes in her neighborhood as the City removed hundreds of buildings on and around Valley and Southside streets during an ambitious urban renewal project. The talk is UNC Asheville's 2009 Mill's Distinguished Lecture. It is free and open the public. Click here for a list of other events with Clarke.

• UNC Asheville's Black Student Association will hold its annual fashion show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at UNC Asheville's Alumni Hall, Highsmith University Union. Students will showcase their own creations and ensembles. The event is free and open to the public.

• A special ceremony honoring five UNC Asheville African-American faculty with 25 or more years of service to the University will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at UNC Asheville's Alumni Hall, Highsmith University Union. Current students will celebrate the careers of Charles James, associate professor of chemistry; Dee James, professor of literature; Dolly Mullen, associate professor of political science; Dwight Mullen, professor of political science; and Anita White-Carter, associate professor of library science. The event is free and open to the public.

• A screening and discussion of the historical documentary "Banished" will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, room 104. "Banished" chronicles the story of four U.S. cities, which were among many communities that forced the expulsion of black Southerners from their homes following the Civil War. The 87-minute film by Marco Williams was first screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007. The event is free and open to the public. It is appropriate for high school students and older.

Dr. Mindy Fullilove

• Mindy Fullilove, professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University, will give a talk on "Root Shock 2009" at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at UNC Asheville's Humanities Lecture Hall. Fullilove argues that following urban renewal, residents have "root shock," long lasting emotional traumatic stress which can have a negative impact on the entire community for decades. In her talk, Fullilove will argue that political and economic displacement is a leading problem in 21st century America. She will discuss current challenges faced by communities and why the public must address this problem. The event is free and open to the public. Fullilove's visit is supported by the Buncombe County Public Libraries. Click here for a list of other events with Fullilove.

• The recent feature film "Cadillac Records" will be screened at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, room 104. An all-star cast chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. Set in 1950s Chicago, the film recounts the lives of some of America's greatest musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Chuck Berry and Etta James. The event is free and open to the public. The film is appropriate for ages 17 and older.

• Nikki Espie will give a talk on "The Classical Tradition: Reconciling Classical Education with the History of Black Education in America" at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, UNC Asheville's Intercultural Center, lower level of Highsmith Union. A reception will follow her talk. The free event is sponsored by Eta Sigma Phi.

For more information about UNC Asheville's observance of Black History Month, call the Office of Multicultural Student Programs at 828/251-6585.