Celebrate the arts at Feb. 27 Black History Month program

Event features singing, dance, art, storytelling, music and special cuisine

Join Kalamazoo Valley Community College at "African Americans and the Arts," a vibrant, multifaceted celebration of the arts closing out Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 3 - 5 p.m., featuring well-known performers from the Kalamazoo community. It is free and open to the public. This event takes place at the college's Texas Township Campus in Room 4240.

Guests will be treated to performances from local actors, musicians, dancers and singers, plus a cooking demonstration of a Cajun dish from Chef Jadon Hawkins, which will be augmented by heavy hors d'oeuvres inspired by African American cuisine. Hawkins is an instructor at Kalamazoo Valley's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Food Systems program. Artwork from the college's staff and students will be also displayed.

The talented lineup includes storyteller Sid "The Rock" Ellis, an actor with over 30 years of experience; violinist and singer Justin Liggins, principal violinist for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra and a Kalamazoo Central High School student; songstress Yolonda Lavender, a local community advocate, creative, culture producer and innovative leader; and youth dancers Trinity Prep Center, an award-winning dance studio based in Kalamazoo.

The keynote speaker is J.R. Reynolds, a Battle Creek-based racial equity consultant and certified professional coach focused on intersectionality work, including race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and class. He also works with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation initiative: Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT).

For more information, email Trice Batson, director of diversity and inclusion, at .

The program is in observance of the national theme of African Americans and the Arts for Black History Month 2024.