Black History Month events feature lecture by author, activist Kevin Powell Feb. 15

Black History Month events feature lecture by author, activist Kevin Powell Feb. 15 February 06, 2007Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

Acclaimed author, journalist and social critic Kevin Powell will deliver SU’s Black History Month Commemorative Lecture Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium. Public parking is available in Irving Garage. Powell is best known for his social commentary, essays and reviews for such national publications as Newsweek, The Washington Post, Essence, Code, Rolling Stone and Vibe, where he previously served as a founding staff member and eventually a senior editor. While at Vibe, Powell profiled various hip-hop artists, including the late Tupac Shakur.

Powell has written six books and travels the country speaking on multiculturalism, race, politics and hip-hop music. His most recent book, “Someday We’ll All Be Free” (Soft Skull Press, 2006), is a collection of essays that explores, among other topics, the 2004 presidential election, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

“On behalf of the staff and students of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, I welcome Mr. Powell to Syracuse University,” says James K. Duah-Agyeman, director of student support and diversity education and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “May his words challenge both young and old to respect and recognize our capabilities to support and uplift one another through the struggle in the face of racism and all its ugly dimensions.”

The program is partially funded by the Kaleidoscope Project, a diversity initiative sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs to broaden the understanding of diversity and promote healthy dialogue about related issues at Syracuse University. For more information on this and other Black History Month events, visit the Office of Multicultural Affairs website at http://multicultural.syr.edu.