This new program, begun by the Department of Parks and Recreation last year, expands the celebration of "Black History Month" into an entire year of exciting cultural and educational activities. Beginning in January, 2008, and continuing through December, after-school programs, assembly performances, summer programs at City parks and playgrounds, Back-to-School and winter activities highlight this year-long celebration of the "Black Experience" in America.

The "Black History Enrichment Series" has many components, including art contests, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest; NGOZI Martial Arts; Storytelling; NAYO Youth Drumming and Dance Workshops; free National Civil War Museum tours & program presented by The KUUMBA Ensemble of Baltimore, MD; Harambee Foundation 2008 Maafa Play; The Summer Enrichment Program; BARAK, Inc., Summer Mural Project; "Drums Along The Susquehanna" during Kipona and drama/poetry workshops. Reed said the Black History Gala is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the many contributions local African Americans have made to the betterment of Harrisburg and the Capital Region, and simultaneously raise funds to support the city’s next generation of artists and civic leaders.

January 14 through May 16 – NGOZI Martial Arts and NAYO Drumming and Dance - Harrisburg School District after-school coed programs, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.

January 18 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Competition Awards Ceremony

February 1 through March 31 - Harrisburg School District/City of Harrisburg 2nd Annual Black History Art Contest Exhibit - Grades 5 through 8 – Entries Exhibited in MLK Atrium

February 7 through March 31 - Art Association of Harrisburg/City of Harrisburg Black History Month Art Exhibit – Inmates from Camp Hill Correctional Institution – Lois Jones AAH Instructor - Reception at Reservoir Park – Saturday Feb. 16 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Light Refreshments

February 9 through May 3, 10 AM - 12 Noon - BARAK, Inc. Drama Workshops - Saturdays at the Brownstone building.

February 12 through May 29 - “Yes I Can!” Life Skills Development Program

February 2 – Ninth Annual Black History Gala. Hilton Harrisburg, 6:30 PM, Tickets $50 per person. Reservation deadline January 25, 2008.

APRIL 5TH – Free Civil War Museum Tours and Performance "Shoe Walking" by The KUUMBA Ensemble, Heritage House Community Theater, Baltimore MD.
"Shoe Walking" is a riveting portrayal of African American heroes that span 300+ years of history. It’s a powerful tribute that interweaves gospel music, storytelling, modern dance and dramatic interpretation to create a historical journey through the eras of slavery, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. The showcase introduces the likes of Ida B. Wells, William Cathay, Daisy Bates, Frederick Douglass, Jack Johnson, Mary Ellen Pleasant, Madam C.J. Walker, Harriett Tubman, Dred Scott and a host of world-changers that rocked the consciousness of America. Hear their voices, feel their struggle, witness their courage and take a walk in their shoes as they press hard for change and equality. Their journey paints an unforgettable portrait of human relations and fortitude for progress. This is a showcase not to be missed. It brings to life the history pages of America on stage. It’s empowering, inspiring and will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

June 16 through August 15 – Nine week Summer Enrichment Program featuring programs and activities for community youth at 12 playground sites. Theme: “BE FIT AND FABULOUS!! Build Sharp Minds, Strong Bodies, and Positive Attitudes!” More Info…

June 16 through August 15 – “Stop the Violence” Outdoor Murals - For the second consecutive summer, the City of Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation will sponsor the creation of two outdoor murals on the water retainer archways in Reservoir Park. These additional murals will be produced through a partnership with the BARAK Inc. “Stop the Violence” program.
In 2007, the first two murals were produced by a team of Barak, Inc.’s staff and directors and junior/student artists, ages 12-17 under the direction of professional muralist, Brett Greiman. The 2008 program will again be directed by Barak, Inc. and professional muralists Brett Greiman and Michelle Green who will work with the students daily, Mon-Fri, in June, July, and August, 2008, to transform two water retainer building archways into two new murals.
The public is encouraged to visit Reservoir Park during the summer months to view the 2007 murals which received the Pennsylvania Parks and Recreation’s Society’s Excellence in Program Award, one of the highest program awards in Pennsylvania and to see the Barak, Inc.’s junior artists and a professional muralist create two new pieces of public artwork.

July 1- August 8, 2008, Tuesdays & Fridays 10 a.m. - 12 noon - Gamut Theatre Drama Camp, students ages 9 to 14 years old. Camp Instructors are the professional actors of the Gamut Theatre Camp sessions and will meet at Gamut Theatre, located on the 3rd floor of Strawberry Square in downtown. Campers will learn the basics of theatre: projection, enunciation, stage presentation and how to create interesting characters. Camp sessions will culminate in the performance of a short play of African folk tales to be performed at Levitt Pavilion in Reservoir Park on Saturday, August 9.

July 10, 17 & 24, 2008, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - See Fabulous exotic animals at the Lake Tobias Animal Park. Field trips from individual playgrounds by Region. $7.00 per child. Playground Regions

July 21-25, 2008, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - FREE Photography Camp with the Harrisburg Camera Club professionals - Register early space is limited. Visit neat and unique locations, including the National Civil War Museum, the Camp Curtin Monument and Park, the Elmerton Street Cemetery, and the Lake Tobias Wild Animal Park, to snap digital images. Participants’ photos will be exhibited in early August at City Government Center. Bring a digital camera if you own one. Otherwise, equipment for camp time will be available.

July 24, 25 & 26, 2008 - Harambee Foundation Project 2008 MAAFA Play “Law & Disorder.” – Participants in the City’s Black History Enrichment Series and all city youth are invited to participate in MAAFA tryouts and rehearsals for the play “Law & Disorder.”
“Law and Disorder” is a story about a 28 year-old social worker, Karen Wallace, who at the drop of a dime would put anyone else’s concerns before her own. However, after a lifetime of helping others, it seems like the end of the world for her when she receives the news that she is HIV positive. As if the news of the virus isn’t bad enough, the timing couldn’t be any worse, as the city of Harrisburg is facing one of the most controversial trials in its history. The Case of the Stigma Free Alliance Vs. The People’s Coalition of Health.
The stakes are high and the search for justice is underway as, human life battles it out against the epidemic of disgrace. There is twist after twist as each side unveils new evidence and information. It is a fight to the finish. Who will win? Who is right in their beliefs? Though matters may resolve in the courtroom, where will either decision leave Karen Wallace?
Performances will take place at the Whitaker Center for the Performing Arts on July 24, 25, and 26. For more information, call Monika Ross at 717-233-3880 or visit www.cdcmaafa.org.

August 15, 2008, 7:30 PM - Black History Series Youth Performance at Levitt Pavilion in Reservoir Park. Follow the drinking gorge dramatic presentation.

Fall and Winter Programs:
"Drums Along the Susquehanna" at Kipona – Workshops and African Drumming Performance featuring professional drummers and youth drummers from the 2008 Black History Enrichment Series programs. Times to be announced.

For more information on the City of Harrisburg’s Black History Month activities, visit www.HarrisburgEvents.com; call the Department of Parks and Recreation at (717) 255-3020, or (717) 233-7403 or visit their offices in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center – Suite 401 or the Mansion in Reservoir Park.

2008 BLACK HISTORY GALA RAISES OVER $70,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE "2008 BLACK HISTORY ENRICHMENT SERIES!"

Mayor Stephen R. Reed welcomed over 450 attendees at the ninth annual Black History Gala held at the Hilton Harrisburg on February 2, 2008. The "Black-Tie Optional" Event was first begun by the Mayor in 2000 to highlight the contributions of local African Americans and to raise funds for a variety of City educational programs focused on Black History awareness and youth performances. The Gala is themed a "Celebration of Unity," to further illustrate the unity of purpose that has advanced African American ideals, creativity and culture in our society.
This year’s event featured Valerie Pritchett—WHTM, ABC 27—as mistress of ceremonies and a stellar performance by Youth African Drummers who studied with the NAYO Drum Troupe during the "2007 Black History Enrichment Series." Immediately following the drum performance Mayor Stephen R. Reed delivered remarks and presented awards to Sponsor of this year’s Gala. As Mayor Reed thanked the sponsors, listed below, he was pleased to announce that sponsorships and Gala tick sales had raised over $70,000 in support of the 2008 "Black History Enrichment Series." The evening ended on a high note as "Dr. K’s Motown Revue" played while Gala attendees danced into the night.
The Mayor said that all of the proceeds from this important fundraising event are earmarked to underwrite "The Black History Enrichment Series." This new program, begun by the Department of Parks and Recreation last year, expands the celebration of "Black History Month" into an entire year of exciting cultural and educational activities. Beginning in January, 2008, and continuing through December, after-school programs, assembly performances, summer programs at City parks and playgrounds, Back-to-School and winter activities highlight this year-long celebration of the "Black Experience" in America.
Sponsors for the Black History Gala 2008 include: Amtrak, Benchmark Solutions, Citizens Bank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, FastSigns, Giant Foods, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc., Harrisburg Parks Partnership, Hershey Company, Highmark BlueShield, Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, J.P. Morgan, Larry Myers & Associates, Mesirow Financial, PA Housing Finance Agency, Pinnacle Health, UPS, Wachovia Bank.