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University Communications

University of Richmond celebrates Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month with more than a dozen events

January 16, 2008

A CNN political commentator, the Monterey Jazz Festival's 50th Anniversary Tour, and a discussion of the origin and influence of race in America highlight more than a dozen events during Black History Month at the University of Richmond.

Events begin Jan. 21 with a Martin Luther King Day celebration in Cannon Memorial Chapel. Victor Lewis, director of the Center for Diversity Leadership, will deliver the keynote address.

The Modlin Center for the Arts will present vibraphonist Stefon Harris and the Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet on Jan. 28. The group will perform music composed by the legendary Duke Ellington in "The Divine Duke."

All programs are open to the public, but some events require reservations or tickets as indicated. For more information, contact Kerry Fankhauser at (804) 287-6646 or kfankhau@richmond.edu. Events include:

  • "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration," Victor Lewis, keynote speaker. Jan. 21, 2 p.m., Cannon Memorial Chapel.

  • "Color of Fear," a documentary film screening and discussion. Jan. 21, 7 p.m., Tyler Haynes Commons, Alice Haynes Room.

  • "The Divine Duke." The Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island String Quartet with vibraphonist Stefon Harris performing music composed by Duke Ellington. Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m., Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music.

  • "A Course in Motion: The Civil Rights Movement in the South," a three-week travel course offered last summer, will be discussed. Feb. 5, 11:15 a.m., Keller Hall reception room.

  • "Dining Hall Black History Celebration," featuring dance and musical performances by student organizations. Feb. 5, 4:30 p.m., Heilman Center.

  • "Publishing Prints: Selections from the Center Street Studio Archives." Addition of the Center Street Studio archives to the Harnett Print Study Center collection. Feb. 5 through April 9, Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art.

  • "The Myth of Race: Fact or Fiction?" A brown bag luncheon. Excerpts from the documentary "Race: the Power of an Illusion" will be viewed, followed by discussion. Reservations required: kara.glascoe@richmond.edu. Feb. 7, 12:10 p.m., Whitehurst living room.

  • "Celebrate History," recognizing the contributions of African Americans in United States history. Reservations required: kara.glascoe@richmond.edu. Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., Weinstein Hall, Brown Alley Room.

  • "Presidential Politics: What Happened to 'We the People?'" Donna Brazile, weekly contributor and political commentator on CNN's Inside Politics and American Morning and contributor to Ms. Magazine, guest speaker. Feb. 11. Time and location to be announced.

  • Episode 22 of Parsons Podcasts, featuring jazz, pop and religious music of Ethiopia. Parsons Podcasts are in the university's Parsons Music Library. Feb. 15. For more information, visit http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/musiclibrary/.

  • University Worship Service, Lynne Washington, executive director of the Peter Paul Development Center in Church Hill, guest preacher. Feb. 17, 11 a.m., Cannon Memorial Chapel.

  • Monterey Jazz Festival's 50th Anniversary Tour, the longest continually running jazz festival in the world. Featured artists include Terrence Blanchard, James Moody, Benny Green, Nnenna Freelon, Derrick Hodge and Kendrick Scott. Tickets: Ticketmaster, (804) 262-8100. Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., Landmark Theatre.

  • "Inquiries: A Women's and Gender Studies Conference." Students present research and art in the areas of women's, gender and sexualities studies. Feb. 22, 9 a.m., North Court reception room.

Faculty of the School of Continuing Studies will present a three-part series on the African American struggle for equal rights in the 20th century. Locations to be announced.

  • "Part 1: The Struggle for Equal Rights in Education in Virginia in the 1950s," Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

  • "Part 2: The Struggle of Black Women Writers for a Voice," Feb. 18, 7 p.m.

  • "Part 3: The Struggle of Black Artists of the Harlem Renaissance to Present their Vision," Feb. 27, 7 p.m.