City’s 2022 Black History Month Gala Celebration Features “Black Health and Wellness” Theme

The City of Bloomington invites the community to attend the 18th Annual Black History Month Gala, which will take place on Saturday, February 26, beginning at 6 p.m. The ticketed, public event will be held over Zoom video conferencing, with e-ticket reservations available in advance through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, online at bctboxoffice.org, or by phone at 812-323-3020.  
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The gala offers an opportunity to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans who have devoted their time, talents, and resources to make a difference in the Bloomington community and beyond. The theme for the 2021 Black History Month celebration is "Black Health and Wellness," honoring the legacy of Black contributors, scholars, and medical practitioners in Western medicine. Community members can look forward to a two-part culminating event. 

Part One
In keeping with the theme of "Black Health and Wellness," during part one, beginning at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., the Indiana Department of Health is hosting a free pop-up adult and pediatric COVID-19 clinic offering Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, boosters, and PCR and rapid tests at Woolery Mill (2250 West Sunstone Drive). From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Woolery Mill location, IU Health will offer free diabetes screening, blood pressure checks (HgA1c blood test), Safe Sleep Education, and a CPR hands-on demonstration. These resources are open to the public whether or not they hold a ticket to the Black History Month Gala. 

Ticket holders may pick up their gala meal and Black Heath and Wellness gift boxes between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This year's gift boxes contain Black-owned business products and community partners' promotional items. These items and more will be available at One World at Woolery Mill (2250 West Sunstone Drive).

Part Two
The 2022 Black History Month Gala will begin at 6 p.m. and be hosted by Darren Mosley. This year's event will include a ceremony to recognize the 2022 Black History Month Living Legend, IU Professor Emeriti, and Ethnomusicologist Dr. Portia K. Maultsby. In addition, the event salutes the four young residents being recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow by the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males. This year's recipients are Dedric Dennist Jr., Marsha Jean-Baptiste, Jaylen Arthur, and Paige Washington. 

Mosley will provide music for the evening that will be sure to keep attendees dancing and singing. Bids for the silent auction may be placed starting at 6 p.m. until the end of the Gala program. Proceeds from the Black History Month Gala Silent Auction will support future programs to educate the community about the contributions of African Americans. 

The deadline to purchase gala tickets is February 25. Ticket holders will receive a virtual gala link to attend. For a complete listing of Black History Month events in the community and virtual program Zoom links, visit bloomington.in.gov/bhm. 

For questions or additional information about the City of Bloomington Black History Month celebration, contact City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss at mosss@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3559.