Compiled by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs
Thursday, Feb. 22 – Patch Chapel
The U.S. European Command Heritage and Observance Committee will host a a poetry recital and a panel discussion with African American leaders on the significance of Black History Month at the Patch Chapel (Patch Barracks Bldg. 2305, by Washington Square) from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The committee has also organized additional events on Feb. 29: a Spin Class held at the Patch Fitness Center at 7 a.m., and a Nutrition and Wellness Class held at the Spiritual Readiness Center in Bldg. 2332 at 11 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 23 – Panzer Mall
The Exchange will host a cake cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Panzer Mall, highlighting the 20th-century artist, composer, and soldier James Reese Europe.
Friday, Feb. 23 – Patch Elementary School
Patch Elementary School will host an immersive Black History activity at the school on Friday, Feb. 23, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. to celebrate and showcase black history and culture. The event is free and open to all community members.
The activity will be conducted in three phases, with the first one being “a museum-like feature” with artifacts and displays of the art, history, and traditions from five regions of Africa, according to Dr. Joi Mitchell, the event’s organizer.
Following that is a showing of traditional African cultural music and dances, with the addition of a small play to put the experience of the slave’s journey from Africa to America to life; it will serve as “the bridge from the African to African-American experience,” Mitchell explained.
After the play, visitors will be invited to sample African-American traditional foods and learn of their African origin. These are foods “that came from the motherland with the slaves and that have been passed down from generation to generation,” Mitchell said.
For further details, please contact Dr. Joi Mitchell at joi.mitchell@dodea.edu.
Stuttgart High School Career Practicum Student Nick Steddum contributed to this post.