2/1/2005

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU TO HIGHLIGHT BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH POETRY, FILMS, LECTURES, FUN

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The monthlong observance of Black History Month at Slippery Rock University includes more than a dozen events, including lectures, health events, fun and the screening of the feature-length films “Ray” and Rosewood.”

      The University Program Board will open the month with “Slam Poet: Thea Monyee”at 8 p.m. Wednesday [Feb. 2] in the University Union, then the SRU Black Action Society will sponsor the feature film “Rosewood” at 6 p.m. Saturday [Feb. 5] in Strain Behavioral Science Building. The film tells of a black Florida town burned to the ground and many of its people murdered because of a lie.

    On Sunday [Feb 6] The Black/African American Caucus will sponsor the African-American Reading Chain at
4 p.m. in the University Union, and “Black Aids Awareness Day” will be observed Feb. 7 with a 4:30 p.m. program in the University Union sponsored by SRU’s HOPE, peer education group, and the Black Action Society. UPB will also sponsor an 8 p.m. Feb. 7 lecture by Chuck D, leader and co-founder of the rap group Public Enemy, in the University Union. D’s messages address issues about race, rage and inequality through intelligence and eloquence.  

The Transition Brotherhood Series, facilitated by Dr. Wayne Forbes, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Christophas Walker, director of SRU’s Frederick Douglass Institute, continues at 5 p.m. Feb. 9 in the University Union sponsored by the university’s Office of Intercultural Programs.

The extraordinary life of singer and musician Ray Charles will be seen at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 in Strain Behavioral Science Building with the showing of the feature film “Ray” sponsored by the Black Action Society, and at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 the President’s Commission on Race and Ethnicity will sponsor a discussion titled“Encountering Diversity: Minority Applicants and the Search Committee” in the Russell Wright Alumni House.

A Feb. 15 panel discussion titled “State of America” will examine such topics as the perception of women, people of color, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals, spirituality, the role of fraternities and sororities, and young professionals in higher education as the topics pertain to historically bypassed groups. The session, sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Programs, will be held at 1 p.m. in the University Union.  

Dr. Uhuru Hotep, associate director of the Leader Skills Center at Duquesne University will continue the Transition Brotherhood Series at 1 p.m. Feb. 19 in the University Union sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Programs, and at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 the film “Martin Lawrence Live-Runtelldat” will be screened in Strain Behavioral Science Building Auditorium. The film, sponsored by the Black Action Society, details Lawrence’s personal crises as a stand-up comic who returns to the stage for a one-man social commentary.

“Black Jeopardy…Know Your Heritage” will pit teams in a competitive game at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the University Union. The event is sponsored by the Black Action Society and the Students United for Minority Affairs. At 8 p.m. Feb. 25 the Ebony Ball will be held in the union. Ball tickets ($10) go on sale Feb. 21 at the University Union Welcome Desk, and no tickets to the Black Action Society event will be sold at the door.

The monthlong celebration closes with a showing of “Soul Plane” at 4 p.m. Feb. 26 in Strain Behavioral Science Building and a 7 p.m. UPB-sponsored performance by the rhythm and blues group Epitome in the University Union.

PN, PGN, WPN, PR, AA, S