BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Events schedule Area Black History Month events as submitted to The Vindicator

LAWRENCE COUNTY
New Castle: The education committee of Second Baptist Church, 537 Bell Ave., will present its annual black history video/lecture series each Wednesday during February from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the church.
This year's series is called "An African American Experience." In addition to the videos and lecture, this year will feature a poetry contest for pupils in grades seven to 12 and a poster contest for pupils in kindergarten through sixth grade. These contests will be centered around the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, black poet, actor, social activist and athlete.
The public will have an opportunity to participate in open discussion after each presentation. A black history trivia contest will take place each week with prizes awarded to all participants.
Historical figures to be discussed will be Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress; the murder of Emmitt Till, the 14-year-old Chicago boy killed in 1955 while visiting in Mississippi; the work of Dunbar; and recipes and stories from poet Maya Angelou.
Information on the poetry and poster contest is available at: All In A Nutshell, corner of North and Mercer Streets, downtown New Castle, Second Baptist Church, or by calling (724) 652-2578.
Your name, telephone number, and grade should be on the back of your entry. All entries must be received by noon Feb. 18. They may be mailed to Second Baptist Church, or taken to All In A Nutshell, or Charlotte Sheffield Funeral Home, 454 Chestnut St., New Castle.
Poster entries will be displayed and the winners of the poetry contest will be invited to read their poems at the Dunbar program at the church at 6 p.m. Feb. 22.
MAHONING COUNTY
Youngstown: Rising Star Baptist Church's Sunday School Department will put on a Black History Month program from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Feb. 26 at the church, 2943 Wardle Ave., on the city's East Side.