‘Black History 101’ aims to bring history to life in Oberlin

OBERLIN — Students are used to sitting at a desk and hearing the names and accomplishments of great historical figures and memorizing dates of important events.

They gather the information, file it away for an upcoming test, then store it in their minds for later use.

But what would it be like to bring history to life? To actually see a document signed by Frederick Douglass? Or discover that hip-hop is a part of history and not just pop culture?

“He would be very pleased,” Thomas said of her husband. “He loved students and he loved the community. He would do anything he could to bring more education to the community and for the betterment of the community.” pieces to the exhibit in Oberlin.

J.B. Thomas worked at B.F. Goodrich until he retired. After retirement, he tutored students in the Oberlin Schools and was an assistant football coach at Elyria Catholic High School.

When she learned about the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, Thomas knew it was a worthwhile project to undertake in her husband’s name.

“It spans quite a bit of time,” Thomas said. “The information and the items go from slavery through to today. Three days is not really enough time.”

Thomas has worked to bring other programs to Oberlin through the J.B. Thomas Fund over the years, including a Johnny Appleseed program and author and Oberlin Conservatory graduate James McBride, who won a National Book Award for his work “The Good Lord Bird” about John Brown.

Conner Grisez of Oberlin, OH was among students from Miami University who received degrees during the fall commencement Dec. 9. Grisez graduated with a B.S. in Commerce degree, majoring in Small Business Management.

Maya Schane, a native of Oberlin, was recently initiated into the Tulane University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The Society welcomed 213 new initiates from 10 universities during January 2023.

Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

The founders established the ODK Idea-the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community. ODK’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote ODK’s leadership values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service on college and university campuses throughout North Ameri- ca. The Society’s national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.

Kamryn Dziak of Amherst earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology from Georgia State University during the fall 2022 semester.

More than 3,000 students graduated from Georgia State University during the fall 2022 semester at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral levels.

James Steindl from Oberlin has been named to DePauw University’s Fall 2022 Dean’s List.

The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum contains more than 10,000 original artifacts of African American memorabilia from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era all the way to hip-hop culture — and it’s coming to Oberlin.

All Oberlin Schools students will view the exhibit during the school day on March 6-8, while the public is invited from 3:30-5 p.m. March 6. The public also will get a chance to view the exhibit from 6-7:30 p.m. March 8 at the Seeley G. Mudd Center on the Oberlin College campus.

The Mobile Museum is headed to Oberlin thanks to the efforts of retired Oberlin orchestra teacher Harriett Thomas and the fund established for her late husband, J.B. Thomas, through the Lorain County Community Foundation.

“I want students to be able to see the diversity of the collection,” she said. “With more than 10,000 artifacts, we will get to see a small part of it. He has memorabilia from the civil rights era to Angela Davis, George Washington Carver, Lena Horne and so much more.”

Beyond just seeing the items, Thomas hopes everyone takes away an important message.

“I want the students to know, everyone to know, that regardless of what happens to us, we can still pick ourselves up and we can still rise,” she said.

Black History 101 Mobile Museum founder and CEO Khalid el-Hakim spent 30 years scouring the country for memorabilia to include in the collection. He will bring about 300

If You Go

WHAT: Black History 101 Mobile Museum WHEN: 3:30-5 p.m. March 6

WHERE: Oberlin Elementary School gymnasium COST: Free

WHAT: Black History 101 Mobile Museum WHEN: 6-7:30 p.m. March 8, with a lecture to follow WHERE: The Seeley G. Mudd Center, 148 W. College St., lower level COST: Free

Western Reserve

Ruritan Club

The annual Western Reserve Toy and Collectible Show is back for its 32nd year. The toy show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 5 at Western Reserve Elementary School in Collins, 3851 U.S. Route 20.

The Western Reserve Ruritan Club had 32 vendors filling 73 in 2022.

Anyone interested in hosting a table, or for more information, contact Rich Ruess at (419) 706-9612 or Steve Zimmerman at (419) 744-0796.

Amherst Golf League

The Amherst City golf league has openings for players for the upcoming season. Two man teams or singles to play as subs or regulars are needed. This is a men’s league, mostly retirees, for fun with competition. We play Tuesday afternoons at Forest Hills. Please contact Gregg at 440-277-7349 if interested.

Amherst Historical Society

We are having a Craft Beer and Wine Tasting with food pairings on Saturday, March 11th from 1-3pm at ESP Brewing Company, 8055 Leavitt Rd, Amherst!

Reservations are required by March 3rd, either by using this link https://form.jotform. com/230384967105156 ,

Board Games

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