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Lafayette College’s celebration of Black History Month in February will feature keynote talks by Afrocentric scholar Na’im Akbar and poet Nikki Giovanni. The celebration will culminate in a research colloquium Feb. 29 in which students will present scholarly papers on black culture, history and politics in the new century.
The theme for the month is “Black by Nature, Gifted by the Spirit, and Abled by God!” according to Robert Bedford, assistant dean of students and director of intercultural development. A principal location for events is the College’s newly renovated Portlock Black Cultural Center.
The center was dedicated in November in the name of the late David A. Portlock, who served 26 years as Lafayette administrator and was associate dean of academics at the time of his death in 1996. The center was established by Portlock in 1970. It features a seminar room, library, kitchen, and guest suite and hosts a variety of activities, including classes, art exhibits, guest lectures, poetry readings, community events, and receptions.
Akbar, professor of psychology at Florida State University and author of Community of Self, Light Out of Ancient Africa, and other works, will speak on Feb. 11. Giovanni, professor of English at Virginia Tech and author of numerous books, including Blues: For All the Changes, will speak on Feb. 20.
The celebration will kick off Tuesday, Feb. 1, with the opening session of the five-part “Read To Lead” discussion series, which will have sessions at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in February at Lafayette’s Portlock Black Cultural Center. The textbook for the series is Akbar’s Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery.
There will also be two gallery exhibitions, a reading and discussion series, a jazz concert, and other events.
Works by artists Paul Keene and Janet Taylor Pickett will be on display throughout the month at the Portlock Center and the Williams Center Gallery, respectively. The Dave Holland Quintet will perform at the Williams Center for the Arts on Feb. 4.
Black History Month events are free and open to the public, except for the Williams Center concert. For more information, call the office of intercultural development at 330-5556. Here is the full calendar:
Tuesday, February 1, 7 p.m. – “Read To Lead” Discussion Series on Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na’im Akbar, session one, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Friday, February 4, noon – Brown Bag Talk on “Leadership is a Spiritual Journey” by John Igwebuike, Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall. Lunch may be brought or purchased for $3
Friday, February 4, 8 p.m. – Concert by the Dave Holland Quintet, with Dave Holland on bass, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Steve Nelson on vibes, Chris Potter on saxophone, and Billy Kilson on drums, Williams Center for the Arts. Tickets cost $15 and may be purchased by calling the box office, (610) 330-5509
Saturday, February 5, through March 10 – Gallery Exhibition by Philadelphia-based artist Paul Keene, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Sunday, February 6, through March 12 – Gallery Exhibition “Hearts and Bones” by award-winning painter Janet Taylor Pickett, Williams Center Gallery
Tuesday, February 8, 7 p.m. – “Read To Lead” Discussion Series on Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na’im Akbar, session two, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Thursday, February 10, 12:15 p.m. – Lecture by artist Janet Taylor Pickett, Williams Center for the Arts
Friday, February 11, 7 p.m. – Keynote Talk by Na’im Akbar, professor of psychology at Florida State University and author of Community of Self, Light Out of Ancient Africa, and others, Williams Center for the Arts
Sunday, February 13, 3 p.m. – Reception for artist Janet Taylor Pickett, Williams Center for the Arts
Tuesday, February 15, 4:15 p.m. – Workshop on African music by drumming master Mogauwane Mahloele, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Tuesday, February 15, 7 p.m. – “Read To Lead” Discussion Series on Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na’im Akbar, session three, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Sunday, February 20, 7 p.m. – Keynote Talk by Nikki Giovanni, professor of English at Virginia Tech, poet, and author of numerous books, including Blues: For All the Changes, which made the Los Angeles Times bestseller list – the first time a poet has ever been listed, Colton Chapel
Tuesday, February 22, 7 p.m. – “Read To Lead” Discussion Series on Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na’im Akbar, session four, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Thursday, February 24, 5 p.m. – Reception for artist Paul Keene, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Tuesday, February 29, 4 p.m. – “Students As Scholars” Research Paper Colloquium on the theme “Black Culture, History, and Politics in the New Century,” Farinon Center, Marlo Room East
Tuesday, February 29, 7 p.m. – “Read To Lead” Discussion Series on Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na’im Akbar, session five, Portlock Black Cultural Center