BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February 12-27 | Abuja
EDUSA School Readings
In the month of February, as part of
the activities commemorating this
year’s African American History
Month, the Public Affairs Section of
the U.S Embassy pioneered the book
reading and donation series at Abuja
public and private primary schools.
Children’s picture books based on
three notable African Americans that
shaped the course of history were read
and donated to six primary schools
within the FCT; the titles included A
Picture Book of Martin Luther King
Jr.; A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by
David A. Adler, and Preaching to the
Chickens: The Story of Young John
Lewis by Jabari Asim. These readings
exposed the pupils to events in the
history of African Americans with
emphasis on the civil rights movement
for justice and equal rights for African-
Americans.
Staff and pupils of New Capital School, Abuja
after Ambassador Symington read to the kids
Six separate readings and donations
anchored by American offi cers
including the Ambassador and the
Acting DCM were held between
February 12-27 at the following schools:
• New Capital Nursery and Primary
School, Asokoro
• Model Primary School, Asokoro
• LEA Primary School Utako
• Community Nursery & Primary
School, Asokoro,
• Florence Ade Akodu International
School Maitama, and
• Springsville School Garki
February 16 | IMAX cinemas, Lekki, Lagos
U.S. Consulate Hosts Black
Panther Premiere
In commemoration of Black History
Month, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos
hosted a private screening of the block
buster movie Black panther on 16
February, 2018 at the IMAX cinemas,
Lekki, Lagos.
The premiere was greatly attended by
many, including diplomats, actors and
major producers in the Nigerian fi lm
industry. The movie showcased various
African fabrics, cultures and costumes
which portrayed Africa in a positive
light.
Black Panther is an American
superhero fi lm produced by Marvel
Studios and distributed by Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures.
February 16 | The Merit House, Abuja
“A Raisin in the Sun” Brings Rare
Live Theater to Abuja
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S.
Embassy celebrated Black History
Month 2018 in partnership with
the Department of Theatre and
Performing Arts of Ahmadu Bello
University (ABU) Zaria, the largest
university in sub-Saharan Africa. The
event included a lecture series and a
performance of Lorraine Hansberry’s
classic play for a 300-person public
audience. In his opening remarks,
the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission
Aruna Amirthanayagam emphasized
how Black History Month highlights
the importance of American diversity
as a source of the country’s strength.
The performance followed a series of
round table discussions earlier in the
week at the Ahmadu Bello and Bayero
Universities in northern Nigeria on the
theme: “Acknowledging our History:
Memory, Culture, and the Black Race.”
Visiting Michigan State University
fi lm professors Jeffrey C. Wray and
Tama Hamilton-Wray presented on
how the African American experience
had shaped contemporary American
theater and fi lm.
Dance performer Kaffy, visiting speaker Prof. Zizwe
Poe, PAO Darcy Zotter, and a guest at the screening
February 28 | Embassy, Abuja
Abuja American Center Marks
Black History Month
On Wednesday, February 28, the
American Center Abuja screened
“Boycott” for an audience of over 50
people to conclude the 2018 Black
History Month celebrations. The fi lm
Boycott was introduced by Information
Offi cer Russell Brooks, who explained
the signifi cance of non-violent actions
of African Americans in the U.S. civil
rights movement. Boycott is the true
story of Rosa Parks (played by Iris
Little-Thomas) which resulted in the
1955 bus boycott in Montgomery,
Alabama. Following the screening,
there was an interactive session led my
two distinguished alumni of the Hubert
Humphrey Fellowship Exchange
Program – Dr. Victor Fodeke and Dr.
Lani Stephens. The interactive session
was very participatory as the fi lm
truly resonated with the audience and
marks a call to action for non-violent
approach to issues among Nigerian
youth.
February 28 | Silverbird cinemas,
Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja
U.S. Embassy Hosts Black
Panther Premiere
Deputy Chief of Mission David Young
with guests before the screening in Abuja
Contributed by Katherine Suwa, Chibuike Ohieri, Sagir Ahmed and Olaoluwa Aworinde
4
CROSSROADS | May/June 2018