28
January
2007
|
18:00 PM
America/New_York

Bobby Seale to deliver keynote address for United Black World Month celebration

COLUMBUS – Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, will be the guest speaker for The Ohio State University kickoff of United Black World Month at 8 p.m. Thursday (2/1) in Hitchcock Hall Auditorium, 2070 Neil Ave. The event is free and open to the public but seating is limited.

"From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas" is the theme for the 37th annual celebration. Throughout the month, programs highlighting the accomplishments of African Americans in art, music, history and education will be featured.

Inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., Seale co-founded the civil rights and self-defense party while attending Merrill College in 1966. He will discuss the movement for social change that at one time mobilized more than 5,000 members nationally and the current struggle for civil and human rights.

"Our theme was influenced in part by the work of leaders such as Bobby Seale during the height of the civil rights movement," said Gabrielle St. Leger, coordinator of African American Student Services. "It will be a tremendous opportunity for our students as future leaders in their own communities to learn of his unique history and perspective."

A partial listing of events follows. Log on to www.mcc.osu.edu for a complete schedule or phone (614) 688-8449.

Feb. 1-28
African American Art Exhibit,
Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Artwork from the collections of African American Photographers of Central Ohio and the Hale Center will be displayed throughout the month.

Feb. 2 & 16
Soul Food Luncheons,
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Local caterers will prepare soul food favorites for faculty, staff and students. Reservations must be made by calling (614) 292-0074.

Feb. 2
Brown Bag Lunch with Professor Daniel Tokaji,
Noon, Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave. An expert in election law and civil rights, Professor Daniel Tokaji will discuss the role of African-Americans in various upcoming elections.

Feb. 8
Voter Disenfranchisement and the Prospects for Democracy,
6:30 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Yale political science professor Khaliah Dean Brown will guide the discussion.

Feb. 10
Freedom Ball,
7-9 p.m., Haimerl Center, 1421 Morse Rd.
Students will gather to celebrate the day of Africa's liberation from colonization.

Feb. 15
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre Performance,
to showcase the contributions that African Americans and other diverse communities have made to the art form of dance. 8 p.m., Mershon Auditorium. Tickets are FREE and available NOW at the Ohio Union Information Center at the Ohio Stadium (between gates 22 & 24). 2 tickets per BuckID. For more information, please visit www.ouab.osu.edu.

Feb. 20
African American Quiz Bowl,
7 to 9 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
The annual jeopardy style quiz bowl is open to all student organizations on campus. Questions will relate to African and African American culture and pop culture, and noted scientists and engineers.

Feb. 22
Black Boy: The One Man Play,
starring Charles Holt, 8 to 10:30 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. An original play based on autobiographical information on Richard Wright and themes from the book "Black Boy."

Feb. 28
Gospel and Spiritual Ensemble,
8 p.m. Weigel Hall, 1866 College Rd. Program will feature Ohio State's gospel and spiritual ensemble under the direction of Raymond Wise. Tickets are required and will be sold at the door.