During February, the University of Missouri celebrates black history and culture. This year's theme is Focus on Black Education. For more information about events, scroll the Black History Month 2017 Calendar: missouri.edu/blackhistory/

Also, don't forget to check out our MU Libraries Twitter feed for daily #OnThisDay tweets about black history that occurred across decades during the month of February: twitter.com/MULibraries

Fast Facts:

• All undergraduates are invited to submit a class research project from 2016.
• Prizes: One $500 scholarship for first prize and one $250 scholarship for second prize will be awarded to an individual or group project. The winners will have their projects archived in MOspace, MU’s digital repository, and will have the opportunity to participate in a research presentation session at Ellis Library.

Acceptable research project formats include:

Traditional research papers · Musical compositions  · Works of art 
Videos · Websites  ·  Other creative works  

Submissions must have been researched using the resources of the MU Libraries.

The project will be judged primarily on sophistication of the research process and the materials used as documented by a Research Process Statement and a Faculty Support Statement. More information is available at https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/researchcontest/.

The deadline for submission of all materials is March 13, 2017.

Contest winners will be notified by April 3.

Join us from 10 to 11:30 am on Feb. 7 for the Grand Reopening of Bookmark Cafe in Ellis Library. Over the winter break, the Bookmark Cafe was renovated thanks to funding provided by the Student Fee Capital Improvement Committee. Come check out the new seating and outlets available for your study needs. In addition, the Cafe now features Harold's Doughnuts! During this event there will be free coffee and samples of Harold's Doughnuts.

On February 1, 1960, four black students from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University went to the segregated lunch counter at the Woolworth Store in Greensboro, North Carolina where they responded to being denied service by remaining at the counter until closing. The sit-in grew in size and scope eventually leading to the official desegregation of Woolworth lunch counters throughout the South, making it one of the most memorable and impactful efforts of the Civil Rights Movement.

The theme for this year's Black History Month at MU is Focus on Black Education. This year's calendar has many great events including a lecture and discussion with Keeanga-Yamatta Taylor on February 8th at Ellis Library, a concert by the LBC Gospel Choir and the Oakwood University Aeolians on February 17th, and an event on February 24th celebrating Monica Hand and Nina Simone. More details on events are included on the 2017 Black History Month calendar. For more information contact the Department of Black Studies at blackstudies@missouri.edu.

The Black History Month Trivia FUNRaiser, which has become a tradition at Mizzou, caps the events of February. From 6 to 9 p.m. on February 28 in Ellis Library’s room 114A, teams will compete for prizes, which include donations to the charities of their choice. 

You do not have to be a black history expert to enjoy the the evening's activities, which include comradery, friendly competition and refreshments, and you will definitely learn something! However, attending some of the events on the Black History Month Calendar will be an advantage since one category of questions is always developed relevant to these scheduled presentations.

The FUNRaiser’s coordinators cordially invite you to form a team of five to eight members. If you register your team by January 31, you can also suggest questions for the event. Follow the link http://libcal.missouri.edu/event/3091394 to register and see details specific to the FUNRaiser including which charities are eligible for consideration.

Please include the FUNRaiser on your calendar and we look forward to seeing you on February 28.