SU Celebrates African-American History Month
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University celebrates African-American History Month with a series including speakers and performers throughout February.
Dr. Michael Blakey, National Endowment for the Humanities Professor at William and Mary College, keynotes the series 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 5, in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center. He speaks on “The New York African Burial Ground Project: An Examination of Enslaved Lives, A Construction of Ancestral Ties.”
The African Burial Ground in New York was uncovered in 1991, when a pre-construction crew preparing the site for a federal building found the remains of some 400 17th and 18th century Africans. President George W. Bush designated the burial ground as a national monument last year.
Blues artist K.J. James performs as part of the series at 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 13. A main stage performer at Woodstock ’99, he has recorded more than 500 songs and received accolades for his contributions to the Salt City Blues project on Blue Wave Recordings.
Dr. Clara Small, professor of history in SU’s Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, speaks on “Blacks, the Underground Railroad and the Eastern Shore” 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 15. Her talk is at the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture.
The series culminates with “The Journey of African-American Song: From Slavery to the Sanctuary,” 7 p.m. Saturday, February 24, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. The presentation blends history with live performances featuring tenor John Wesley Wright of the SU Department of Music, the SU Gospel Choir and Liturgical Dance Ensemble, SU World Percussion Ensemble and members of the SU Chamber Choir and University Chorale.
The series also includes SU Dining Services’ annual Soul Food Dinner 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, in the Commons. Featuring live jazz entertainment, the cost of the meal is $9.30 for adults, $5.72 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 dine free. Reservations are not required.
In addition, SU’s Blackwell Library presents the month-long display “From Slavery to Freedom.” Honoring this year’s national theme, “From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas,” the exhibit features the works of John Hope Franklin. The seminal author of African-American history received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work in civil rights.
Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services, all events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information call 410-548-4503 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.