Friday, February 4, 2011
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (Feb. 1, 2011) – Bruce George, co-founder of “Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam,” and Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa, are celebrating Black History Month at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
George and Karenga are both serving as guest lecturers for Black History Month, which is nationally themed, “African Americans and the Civil War.”
The university kicked-off activities on Wednesday, Feb. 2, with a production of “The Meeting” at the Student Services Center. This “dramatically compelling” play focuses on a meeting between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who passionately debate a variety of societal issues.
Multi-media fine artist, Tanya Murphy Dodd, participated in an artist reception and book signing for the Mosely Gallery’s newest exhibit, “Embracing Light: Tanya Murphy Dodd Photographs and Mixed Media” on Thursday, Feb. 3. The exhibit will remain on display in the gallery until March 18.
UMES’ Black History Month four-day movie series launches Monday, Feb. 7, with the award-winning film, “Precious,” followed by “Higher Learning,” “One Week,” and “Crash.” The films start at 7 p.m. in the Student Services Center Theater.
On Thursday, Feb. 17, writer, poet and activist, Bruce George, will give a lecture at 7 p.m. in the Student Services Center Theater. George is co-founder of the critically-acclaimed and award-winning “Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam.” His work has been published in major magazines, anthologies, and literary publications.
Dr. Maulana Karenga is an activist, scholar and social theorist who founded the African American holiday of Kwanzaa. The Parsonsburg native is scheduled to speak at noon at the Student Services Center Theater on Friday, Feb. 18. Kwanzaa is “a celebration of family, community, and culture based on African first harvest celebrations that urge blacks to ground themselves in their own culture in order to address the fundamental questions of human life.”
The Black History Month Symposium entitled, “Black Men and College: What’s Going On?! A discussion of why so few come, and even fewer graduate,” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. in Hazel Hall, Room 1015. Dr. Jeffrey F. Grant, director of families and parents, D.C. Public Schools, is the guest speaker.
For a full listing of events, visit www.umes.edu. For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at 410-651-6434. Black History Month at UMES is sponsored by Delmarva Power.
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Candice Latshaw, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-6669, celatshaw@umes.edu
Bill Robinson, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, wrobinson3@umes.edu.
