February 1, 2011 > Black History Month celebration Black History Month celebration By Alissa Gwynn Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society, Inc. will be hosting a celebration of Black History Month on Saturday, February 12 at the Newark Community Center to honor African heritage and celebrate African-Americans' accomplishments and contributions to our country. Complete with performances, vendors, music, games, food, and more, the event is sure to be an entertaining and educational day for all. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m., continuing until 8 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 10:30 a.m. as a Health and Wellness Seminar, sponsored by the Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) begins. The seminar will feature guest health speakers and focus primarily on HIV and AIDS. Following the morning seminar, Keynote speaker Samuel Rutland, will discuss the theme of the year, "African-Americans and the Civil War." Rutland is a lifetime member of the Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society, Inc., and has toured Civil War battlegrounds to supplement his studies of the Civil War. During the day, performances by Adewole Community Group, Bay Area Christian Connection, KM?, and other musical groups and choirs will enliven the event along with a book signing by author Billy D. Jarrett. Jarrett wrote "Pretty Much Dead," a coming-of-age memoir about a black boy enduring alcoholism and parental abuse in the 1960s and '70s. Other notable exhibits and vendors include African art, clothing, and an exhibit of Black Inventors and Inventions by R.J. Reed. The schedule of events is as follows: 10:30 a.m. - Noon: Breakfast, Health & Wellness Seminar Noon - 5 p.m.: Soul Food Station 1 p.m.: Program 2 p.m.: Samuel Rutland, Civil War scholar 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Deejay, music, and games Black History Month Observance Saturday, Feb 12 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Newark Community Center 35501 Cedar Blvd., at Chapman Drive (510) 792-3973 or (510) 793-8181