University honors black history through variety of events

Black History Month begins at BGSU with an address by Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., celebrating the legacy of her father at 7 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 27) in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union's Lenhart Grand Ballroom.

Yolanda King

King's speech will be simulcast for viewing in the Cedar Point Center at BGSU Firelands.

King's discussion is one of the many University events that will mark Black History Month, which also includes a presentation by guest speaker Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, who gained fame from her appearance on the hit television show "The Apprentice."

Other events include a week of activities sponsored by the African-American Graduate Student Association.

The week's discussions will begin Feb. 1 with "Campus, Community and Nation: African-Americans and the Criminal Justice System," from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in 101 Olscamp Hall, followed by "The Performance of Whiteness in the Ivory Towers" from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 2 in 314 Bowen-Thompson Student Union. On Feb. 3, "Stereotypes of Homosexuality in the African-American Community" will be held from 6-8 p.m. in 220 Eppler.

Also on Feb. 3, the Black Student Union will host the Black History Month Kick-Off, "Celebrate Black History…Celebrate African-American Achievement," from 7-9 p.m. in 308 Union. Giving the keynote address will be BGSU alumnus Theodore Scott Mitchell, head of a Columbus-area consulting firm.

On Feb. 4, the Women's Research Network will feature graduate assistants Ramona Coleman, ethnic studies; Lisa Alexander, American culture studies, and Amy Henry, human movement, sport and leisure studies, in a presentation titled "Intersections of Race, Gender and Title IX." The presentation will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Women's Center, 107 Hanna Hall.

Also in observation of Black History Month, the Center for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives will host the sixth annual Black Issues Conference featuring keynote speaker Manigault-Stallworth, who will deliver a speech titled "Money, Power and Respect: The Keys to Success."

"The all-day conference is to get the Bowling Green community together to discuss issues that affect African-Americans," said James Jackson, multicultural student adviser and coordinator of diversity education and programs.

The conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 5 in 228 Union. To register, call 2-2642.

Later in the month, the Women's Center will host a Brown Bag Lunch Series program on "Spirituality and Liberation," beginning at noon Feb. 16 in 107 Hanna Hall.

On Feb. 18 and 19, the Center for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives will host its annual dinner theatre. This year's theme is "'80s Part II: A Night to Remember," featuring guest comedian Jay Lamont along with music, dance and popular African-American skits from '80s R&B performers, sitcoms and movies that will be portrayed by University faculty, staff and students. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom.

The Friday evening performance includes hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and theatre-style seating. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Following the performance, an Old School After Party will be held from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in 228 Union. Admission is free with ticket from the dinner theatre or $5 otherwise.

Saturday's more formal event costs $23, which includes admission to the performance, a buffet dinner, cash bar and reserved seating.

Tickets are on sale now in the multicultural and academic initiatives office. For more information, call 2-2642.

Note: Events are subject to change.