SU Black History Month celebration focuses on Rosa Parks’ legacy, activism of black women

SU Black History Month celebration focuses on Rosa Parks’ legacy, activism of black womenJanuary 26, 2006Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

“Sisters in Struggle: Honoring the Legacy of Rosa Parks and Black Women’s Activism” is the theme of Syracuse University’s celebration of Black History Month. The slate of events to take place in February is highlighted by the Black History Month Commemorative Lecture, to be delivered Feb. 13 by Kimberly Springer, professor of American studies at King’s College London and renowned expert on race, gender and African American feminism.

The month’s events are organized by SU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, a principal unit of the Division of Student Affairs, in partnership with the Department of African American Studies and the Community Folk Art Center, among other sponsors. The full schedule of events is availableat http://suevents.syr.edu.

“As the campus and community join in marking this important commemoration of the struggles and contributions of African American people, it is vital that we connect young people with knowledge of the vital roles played by women,” says Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Barry L. Wells. “In remembering Rosa Parks, we honor the efforts of all women who contribute to correcting historical injustices and enriching the lives for people of all races.”

In her presentation, Springer will address the themes outlined in her most recent books, “Still Lifting, Still Climbing: African American Women’s Contemporary Activism” (ed., New York University Press, 1999), which will be available at the SU Bookstore prior to the event, and the forthcoming “Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980” (Duke University Press). Springer has been honored for her scholarship with awards from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and the American Association of University Women.The event will take place at 5:30 p.m., Grant Auditorium, College of Law, with parking in Irving Garage.

Other highlighted events, which are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise, include:

• Feb. 1, 7 p.m.: “Black Struggle, Yesterday and Today,” a presentation by hip-hop journalist and activist Rosa Clemente. Room 007, Martin J. Whitman School of Management, with parking in the Lehman lot.

• Feb. 2, 7 p.m.: “The Search, the Struggle, and Beyond,” the 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Affairs Lecture, delivered by poet, activist and musician Jayne Cortez. A book signing and reception will follow. Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building, with parking in paid visitor lots. Presented by the Department of African American Studies.

• Feb. 4, 8 p.m.: “Black Lounge,” a celebration ofmusic and community, featuring national recordingartists Naturally Seven. Goldstein Auditorium,Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center,with parking in Waverly, Marion, University or Comstock lots.Tickets are available at the Schine Box Office andare $3 with SU I.D. and $5 for the general public.

• Feb. 6, 7 p.m.: Pan-African Night lecture, delivered by Sekou Nkrumah, director of Ghana’s W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Center. Grant Auditorium, College of Law, with parking in paid visitor lots.

• Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: “Words to Our Now,” a conversation with author and LGBT activist Thomas Glave. Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building, with parking in the Comstock lot. Co-sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center.

• Feb. 9, 7 p.m.: A screening of the documentary “Place of Rage,” which covers the work of Gwendolyn Brooks, June Jordan, Alice Walker and Audre Lord. Moderated by associate professor Gwendolyn D. Pough. Jabberwocky Cafe, Schine Student Center, with parking in paid visitor lots.

• Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.: “Down from the Mountaintop,” a play by activist James Baldwin, featuring Tony Award-nominated stage and screen actor Calvin Levels. Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center, with parking in paid visitor lots.

• Feb. 15, 6 p.m.: “State of the People,” a round-table discussion featuring Francis McMillan Parks of SU’s Hendricks Chapel and Students Offering Service, and Micere Githae Mugo, chair of the Department of African American Studies. The Underground, Schine Student Center, with parking in paid visitor lots.

• Feb. 19, 4 p.m.: A jazz concert by recording artist Nicole Henry. Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center, with parking in paid visitor lots. Co-sponsored by the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation.

• Feb. 21, 8 p.m.: A concert by performance ensemble Urban Bush Women. Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center, with parking in paid visitor lots. Presented by Pulse. Tickets are available at the Schine Box Office and are $20 for the general public, $10 for SU faculty and staff, and $5 for students with SU I.D.

• Feb. 26, 4 p.m.: The Cora A. Thomas Gospel Extravaganza. Alibrandi Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place.

Additionally, SU is hosting several presentations and performances in collaboration with the Community Folk Art Center. Unless otherwise indicated, they are free and open to the public, and held at 805 E. Genesee St. These include:

• Feb. 4, 2-4 p.m.: “Requiem for Our Ancestors and Other Warriors: Napoleon Jones,” an exhibition opening and reception in celebration of the Community Folk Art Center’s new home, featuring recent work of Napoleon Jones-Henderson. Gallery talk with Jones-Henderson, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Exhibition through March 18.

• Feb. 9, 7 p.m.: “Voices from the Water,” a film by S. Pearl Sharp.

• Feb. 10, 6 p.m.: “You Ain’t Never Lied,” a fiction-writing workshop with Sharp.

• Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.: Dance performances by the Rod Rodgers Dance Co. and Poets and Peace Makers. John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 800 S. State St. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Civic Center Box Office.

“In our choice of speakers and events, we seek to provide a learning experience on students’ terms and in students’ language, not just about black history, but about the rich mosaic of contributions made by people of all cultures and from all backgrounds,” says James K. Duah-Agyeman, director of student support and diversity education/multicultural affairs. “It is our hope that, through our partnership with the Community Folk Art Center, this learning will have a positive influence not just on the young people of Syracuse University, but on the entire surrounding community.”

For more information on Black History Month at SU, call OMA at (315) 443-9676.