Sweet Briar College will observe Black History Month throughout February with events celebrating African-American culture and heritage in both historical and present-day contexts.

The following activities are free and open to the public, beginning noon Thursday, Feb. 2 in the atrium at Prothro Hall, with an opening ceremony led by SBC President Elisabeth Muhlenfeld and students from the Campus Events Organization Culture Shock Committee.

Martha Penn Taylor worked both as a slave and freedwoman at Sweet Briar Plantation.On Monday, Feb. 6 Lynn Rainville, SBC assistant professor of archaeology will present a lecture, “Hidden History: African-American Communities at Sweet Briar” at 4 p.m. in the E.B. Room (Dew Hall basement).

Drawing on five years of archival research, archaeological surveys and excavations on SBC’s more than 3,000 acres and in nearby communities, Rainville’s illustrated lecture spotlights the often overlooked history of blacks at Sweet Briar. Every freshman knows Daisy Williams’ story and how the College was founded, but “African Americans are a predominant part of Sweet Briar’s history and that’s the part of the story that doesn’t get told,” Rainville said.

Dinner and a movie, featuring “Soul Food” onscreen and tasty barbecue pork ribs, Southern fried chicken and plenty of sides on the menu, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the Josey Dining Room in Prothro Hall.

In the 1997 film “Soul Food,” matriarch Mama Joe’s diabetes disrupts her 40-year tradition of Sunday dinners, and family discord ensues. Through the trials that follow and the family’s eventual return to the table, the movie explores the role of food and family in African-American culture.

SBC executive chef Dennis Paranzino did his research and consulted his kitchen’s trusty Southern cooks to plan the mood-setting meal. The result? Next to the chicken and ribs will be macaroni and cheese, collard greens in potlikker (the juice of long-simmered greens and ham hocks), spoon bread, pinto beans (also with ham hocks), fried green tomatoes and more. For dessert … shoofly and sweet potato pies, fresh apple cake with caramel frosting and banana pudding.

“It’s not much different than what we serve here already, but it will be made with smoked ham hocks and real butter, so it will have more authentic taste,” Paranzino said.

The cost of dinner is $6.75 for guests, $3.50 for ages 3 to 11; $5.50 with a Sweet Briar ID, $2.75 for ages 3 to 11.


Adilah Barnes. more photosTelevision and film actress (“Roseanne,” “Erin Brockovich”) Adilah Barnes’ will present her one-woman show, “I am that I am, Woman Black!” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 in Memorial Chapel.

Barnes’ play is a historical journey through the lives of seven African-American women – Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, Zora Neale Hurston, Lorraine Hansberry, Angela Davis and Maya Angelou – celebrating their abilities to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Barnes, whose film credits also include “Beautiful” and “Auggie Rose,” directed by Sally Field, has performed the show throughout the country for more than 15 years, garnering accolades along the way. The Los Angeles Watts Times wrote, “ ... (her) characterizations put you in touch with the roots of black people, and in particular the strength of black women ... (her) Zora Neale made you want to snap your fingers two times and say ‘Go head on girl, do that!’ ”

Jackie Litt, associate professor of sociology and women’s studies at Iowa State University wrote on Barnes’ web site, “While I can’t find words to describe the chills running through me while I watched, I can say that I found this play thrilling and inspiring.”

Sweet Briar’s annual Gospel Fest will be held at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 in Memorial Chapel. The snow date is March 5.

Gospel Fest brings together about a dozen of the area’s best choirs and singers for a “joyous, foot-stomping, moving experience,” said Pat Richeson of the chaplain’s office, which organizes the event. Among those expected to perform are Youth for Truth, Scott Zion Men’s Chorus, J.C. Sandidge Memorial Ensemble and soloists Derrick Thomas and Ameka Cruz.

For more information on Gospel Fest, contact Richeson at richeson@sbc.edu or (434) 381-6103. For information on all other events, contact James McGhee, SBC student activities director, at jmcghee@sbc.edu or 381-6134.

— By Jennifer McManamay, SBC staff writer



Adilah Barnes portrays Mary McLeod Bethune, one of seven famous black American women in "I am that I am, Woman Black!"