Emory Report

Feb. 1, 1999

Volume 51, No. 18

Emory observes African American Heritage Month Discussions and discovery will highlight Emory's 1999 observance of African American Heritage Month. The name change from Black History Month better reflects today's celebration, according to Office of Multicultural Programs and Services' Sylvester Hopewell. "The name African American Heritage Month seems more appropriate because the month is dedicated to celebrating culture," said Hopewell, who is the office's associate director and coordinator. "It used to be called Negro Week, and then it was Black History Month. But moving into the new millenium, this name better fits the period." This year's theme, "Many Cultures, Many Colors, One People," will illustrate issues that unite people across cultural lines. Keynote speaker for the monthlong event will be Black Entertainment Television's Tavis Smiley. Dubbed one of America's 50 most promising young leaders by Time magazine, Smiley is the host of "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley." The former aide to the late Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley has provided analysis on C-SPAN, CNN, the "Today Show," "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" and the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," among others. His lecture, "Leadership: Discovering, Defining and Developing Your Talent," will take place at the Health Sciences Center auditorium Feb. 4, at 5:30 p.m. A booksigning of Smiley's Hard Left will take place afterwards. Other scheduled events will look at social and political issues facing the African-American community. Pam Epps of the Emory Counseling Center will moderate "21st Century Dialogue: The African American Experience at Emory" on Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. in Harris Hall parlor. A panel discussion looking at "Political Complacency in the African-American Community" will take place on Feb. 16 in 101 White Hall at 7 p.m. Professor of History Leroy Davis speaks and holds a booksigning Feb. 17 in the African-American Studies Reading and conference room for his new book, A Clashing of the Soul: John Hope and the Dilemma of American Leadership. The Carlos Museum will be the site of "African Art in the Museum: The Politics of Ownership, Identity, and Display," which will feature Emmanuel Arinze, director of the West Africans Museum Programme; Doran Ross, director of the Fowler Museum of Cultural History; Sarah Hassan of Cornell University's African Studies and Research Center; and Sylvester Ogbechie of Northwestern University's Department of Art History. The Feb. 20 event starts at 9 a.m. Heritage Month events also will look overseas. On Feb. 4 Georgia State professor Mohammed Hassen will present his lecture, "The Muslim City of Harar during the 16th Century" at 4 p.m. in 104 Tarbutton Hall and Howard University professor Suleyman Nyang will talk about "The Legacy of West Africa" Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in 208 White Hall, with a reception to follow. Other scheduled events include Voices of Inner Strength's "Jam for Jesus" at the Health Sciences Center Auditorium on Feb. 20 and a Black Artists Expo in the Dobbs Center's Coca-Cola Commons on Feb. 23. The Schatten Gallery exhibit, "Reporting Civil Rights: Journalism, Media and the Movement, 1948-1969," will continue on the third floor of Woodruff Library until Feb. 20. African American Heritage Month will end Feb. 28 with "God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in a Tribute to the Honorable John Lewis." Lewis, a renowned civil rights leader and representative for the fifth congressional district will be honored in Glenn Auditorium beginning at 4 p.m. For information on other scheduled events, contact the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services at 404-727-6754 or send e-mail to <dwill07@emory.edu.> --Stephanie Scott Return to Feb. 1, 1999, contents page