UR celebrates black history

Some of the most important issues facing African Americans in the past, present and future will be explored through lectures, discussions, music, art and dance during Black History Month at the University.

Events begin Feb. 1 with a keynote address from Patricia Russell-McCloud, a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author of A Is for Attitude. The event is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities.

McCloud’s inspirational message has been endorsed by leaders of corporations and nationally recognized authors. In 1998, Black Enterprise magazine named her one of the top five business motivators in the United States, and Ebony magazine has named her one of the most influential people in the United States for the past four years.

Several lectures are scheduled during the month to inform and inspire, but some topics will be explored through open discussion. The Richmond Quest Civil Rights travel course, a tour of Civil Rights sites in nine states last summer, will be discussed Feb. 5.

The birth of race in the United States and its influence on modern American culture will be the subject of a brown-bag discussion after a showing of excerpts of the documentary Race: The Power of an Illusion. Malcolm Hill, associate professor of biology, will moderate.

Art, dance and music events also will be held throughout the month. The Modlin Center for the Arts presents the Monterrey Jazz Festival’s 50th Anniversary Tour at Richmond’s Landmark Theater Feb. 17. The longest running jazz festival in the world, it will bring Terrence Blanchard, James Moody, Benny Green, Nnenna Freelon, Derrick Hodge and Kendrick Scott to Richmond.

Information on specific Black History Month events can be found in the calendar.