Programs honor contributions of Black citizens

Western Connecticut State University will hold two events for students, faculty, alumni and the public to learn more about the contributions and success of Black citizens in the work and sports worlds, in celebration of Black History Month.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21 (snow date Feb. 28), a free panel discussion and networking event will be held on “Career Viewpoints from Trailblazing African American Leaders” in WCSU’s Westside Campus Center North Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Ext. Sponsored by the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, M&T Bank and America’s Small Business Development Center Connecticut, the event begins at 5 p.m. for early networking, which will continue after the panel discussion.

Panelists for this event are Peter Ijomah, director, Agile Center of Enablement, The Hartford; John Fillyaw, president, Possit Partners; Lisa Scails, executive director, Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut; and Bessie Frazier, a nurse in a career transition to health informatics.

On Monday, Feb. 27, a free screening of “The Loyola Project,” a documentary about the 1963 Loyola Ramblers basketball team that broke down racial barriers in college basketball on their path to becoming NCAA champions, will be held in the university’s Midtown campus Student Center Theater, 181 White St., at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a discussion on the intersection of sports, history and civil rights.

For insights of what Black History Month means to WCSU’s students and an article on alumnus Owen Peagler, a leader in higher education, state government and civil rights, go to www.wcsu.edu.