Learning, education, supporting, and bringing attention to the contributions of African Americans has been the focus every February since 1976. Thanks to the NAACP Rochester Branch MN, four powerful events have been created for the Rochester, Minnesota area during Black History Month that help highlight the contributions of Blacks and African Americans.
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Event #1: Reflection to Action: Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Lessons from Skin
Deep
This program features a screening of the PBS documentary Skin Deep, written by Prexy Nesbitt and Marian Marzynski, exploring the fight against institutionalized racism in the United States and South Africa.
WHEN: Saturday, February 1st, 2025
Saturday, February 1st, 2025 WHERE: Rochester Art Center
Rochester Art Center TIME: 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM
10:00 AM until 1:00 PM WHAT TO EXPECT: Presentations by esteemed speakers, movie screening and a panel discussion. Rebecca Lucero, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Appointed by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in 2019 and reappointed in 2022, Rebecca Lucero serves as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rebecca, a proud Chicana, has spent her life fighting to create a more just and joyful world while working to end systemic inequality and oppression. She strives to lead her life with an intersectional lens, honoring complex identities. During her tenure, Commissioner Lucero has led a team to transform the Minnesota Department of Human Rights into a strategic civil rights enforcement agency. Prexy Nesbitt, Activist, Educator, and International Speaker – “Prexy Nesbitt is known for his lifelong commitment to social justice and anti-racism. He played a pivotal role in the global movement against apartheid in South Africa, forging coalitions and mobilizing support in the United States and worldwide to fight for African liberation. Nesbitt’s activism brought him into close contact with African liberation leaders, and he came to personally know Nelson Mandela. In the United States, Nesbitt marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966, serving as Dr. King’s bodyguard—a significant chapter in the fight for civil rights.” Pamela Hugdahl, Executive Director, Rochester Art Center “She received her M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While her M.A. thesis, ECO Ephemeral, focused on environmentalism in art, her interests span across time, cultures and mediums. At the Rochester Art Center, Hugdahl has encouraged a robust and divergent schedule of exhibitions for the benefit of the Rochester community.” Walé Elegbede , President, Rochester Branch of the NAACP, Global TED Talk and Motivational Speaker “Walé believes in the power of human connection and ideas, and that connections and bridges must be made to improve our world. As President of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, Walé champions social justice, civil rights, human rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Wale also serves as Director of Strategy Management Services (SMS) at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where he leads transformative efforts in strategic execution of novel diagnostic solutions and disruptive technologies. Walé inspires audiences to create meaningful change in their organizations and communities. He is an internationally recognized TED Talk , AAE Keynote Speaker, and regularly speaks on leadership, strategy execution, and social justice.”
Presentations by esteemed speakers, movie screening and a panel discussion.
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Event #2 – Ebony Night 2025: Rochester Branch of the NAACP Presents UMR Black Student Union
The event will feature presentations, cultural performances, poetry, and dinner, culminating in a youth dance party.
WHEN: Saturday, February 15th, 2025
Saturday, February 15th, 2025 WHERE: The Chateau
The Chateau TIME: 5:30 pm
5:30 pm WHAT TO EXPECT: Enjoy this fun evening led by the University of Minnesota Rochester’s Black Student Union. The night will consist of poetry, presentations and performances, and end with a youth dance party.
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Event #3 – Black Excellence Expo
“The Black Excellence Expo continues to grow and seeks the public’s support as we shine a spotlight on amazing businesses and their outstanding products and services.”
WHEN: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 WHERE: Location is TBD
Location is TBD TIME: 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm
12:00 pm until 4:00 pm WHAT TO EXPECT: Coming back to Rochester for its third year is the Black Excellence Expo where Black-owned and minority-owned businesses are put in the spotlight. Browse, see the quality products from these thriving businesses, and show your support.
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Event #4 – The Sound of Gospel Music
WHEN: Friday, February 28th, 2025
Friday, February 28th, 2025 WHERE: Mayo Civic Center
Mayo Civic Center TIME: 7:00 pm with a Community Resource Fair from 5:45 pm until 6:45 pm
7:00 pm with a Community Resource Fair from 5:45 pm until 6:45 pm WHAT TO EXPECT: “This musical anthology, depicting the rich history and evolution of gospel music, is produced by playwright, producer, and director William Pierce of 2nd Chance Outreach. It is directed by Academy Award-nominated actress, playwright, and vocalist Jevetta Steele, with musical direction by Grammy Award-winning Billy Steele of the renowned family, The Steeles.”
Learn more about the NAACP Rochester Branch and other future events at their website here.
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Do you have an event coming up? Townsquare Media cares about our community and serving our community is important to our team. If you are part of a local organization or nonprofit that has an event coming up that benefits the community, please reach out to jessica.williams@townsquaremedia.com or contact us through our contact form here.