Kwanzaa research featured in an AP story

Professor Keith Mayes' research on Kwanzaa is discussed in an Associated Press article. His research is also featured in a multimedia story on the CLA home page.

Kwanzaa research on CLA home page

Professor Keith Mayes' research on Kwanzaa is the featured story for December 14-20 on the CLA home page. The multimedia story includes a video and a podcast.

History Museum Fellowship Program

The Minnesota Historical Society and the College of Liberal Arts are seeking to fill 10 positions for undergraduate students who are interested in learning about careers as museum professionals or public historians. This program is designed to address the underrepresentation of individuals from communities of color and American Indian Nations in historical organizations and public history graduate programs. Participants will be chosen through a competitive application process. Applicants chosen for the program will:

• Register for a weekly, directed studies seminar through the Department of American Studies for spring semester 2009-2010 instructed by program staff, visiting scholars, U of M faculty, and MHS professionals.
  
• Receive a paid internship ($2,500) with MHS during the summer of 2010 designed to provide participants with real-world public history experience.
  
• Go on a week-long, summer study tour of museums and historic sites in and around the Washington D.C. area. Participants will visit museums and network with other professionals in the museum and public history fields. Travel expenses will be paid by the program.
  
• Receive follow-up mentoring from program staff regarding employment opportunities and graduate programs in museum studies and/or public history.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN APPLICATION, please contact program coordinator, Chris Taylor, at chris.taylor@mnhs.org

Langston Hughes event

"Juke Box Love Song: A Celebration of Langston Hughes on the 50th Anniversary of Selected Poems" will be held on Friday, December 4, at 7:00pm in Lind Hall 150. This Department of English program celebrates poet, dramatist, and novelist Langston Hughes. The department is seeking people to read Hughes' poems (or excerpts from his plays or novels) out loud in whatever language they choose &mdash maybe even one of the poems he chose not to include in Selected Poems. To sign up, email Terri at sutt0063@umn.edu. There will be food, drink, and good company.

African Student Association Red Spots series

During the month of November the African Student Association will host "Red Spots," a series of events designed to raise awareness about important issues taking place on the continent of Africa.

Fall Soccer Tournament.
Friday, November 13, 6-9pm in the Field House of the University Recreation Center (1906 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455). Proceeds of the tournament will go to Students Against Hunger.

Presentation by Oromia Student Union & Eritrean Student Association.
Wednesday, November 18, 5pm in Coffman Union room 201. OSU & ERISA will give presentations on their history and culture, and look at controversial issues affecting their peoples.

Invisible Children screening of Together We Are Free.
Wednesday, November 18, 7pm at the Oak Street Cinema (309 Oak St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455). Together We Are Free is a documentary that follows youth around the world as they call attention to the situation of child soldiers in East Africa. A panel discussion follows the screening. This event is free.

Screening of the documentary Africa Open for Business.
Tuesday, November 24, 5pm in Coffman Union room 201. "Imagine an Africa with entrepreneurial spirit that is striving to take care of itself and finding African solutions to African problems."

NOMMO African American Author Series

On Wednesday, November 11, the NOMMO African American Author Series begins its 2009-2010 season. Professor Alexs Pate hosts Ishmael Reed at 7:00 PM in the Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Ishmael Reed is a poet, publisher, editor, and author of 25 books, including Conjure, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

November 4 "coffee hour" presentation

On Wednesday, November 4, Ann Dillard will present "Friends of Senegal" from 2:30-4:00 in the Geneva H. Southall Library (Social Sciences Tower 815). [Presentation Abstract]


For the past two years Ann Dillard has taken mission trips to Senegal, West Africa. She toured many sites in Senegal, but has concentrated her work in the village of Rufisque. Ann learned of the devastating problems and many deaths of children and adults from widespread malaria in the area. Research shows that every 30 seconds a child under the age of five dies of malaria in Africa - more than 3,000 every day- more than a million every year. Malaria is the number one cause of death in Senegal.
Upon returning from Senegal in February 2008, Ann started an organization called Project Safety Nets (www.projectsafetynets.org). The mission of this organization is to provide support to members of underserved communities in Senegal that will help them meet basic every day needs. This support includes, but is not limited to: school supplies, non-prescription pain medication, resources to empower women entrepreneurs, and mosquito bed nets to protect against malaria.
In this coffee hour presentation Ann will share stories about her amazing journey and the work that continues to be done in Senegal.

"For Colored Girls..." play

The U of M's Nolte Xperimental Theatre presents Ntozake Shange's 1975 stageplay For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf October 29 - November 1. This choreopoem features seven different women, nameless, each known by a different color. Stories of love, abandonment, rape, domestic violence, strength, independence, and healing are shared with the audience. October 29-Ocrtober 31 performances are held at 7:00 pm; the November 1 perfromance is at 2:00 pm. For reservations call 612.625.1876 or email thex@umn.edu.

40th Anniversary exhibit

In 1969 the University of Minnesota established the African American and American Indian Studies Departments, the second and first such departments respectively to be founded in the United States. To celebrate the anniversary of this historic event the University Libraries system has put together a display of archival materials commemorating 40 years of history. An opening reception will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 4:00-6:00 p.m. in 120 Andersen Library. For more information see the Libraries 40th Anniversary exhibit event.

Social Justice Film Festival

Housing & Residential Life, the Social Justice Leadership Retreat, the Office of Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and the Institute on Community Integration are hosting a Social Justice Film Festival on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM until 5 PM in the Tate Physics Building. Twelve different films will be shown during the Festival with four being shown at each start time of 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Folks are welcome to come for just one film or watch three throughout the day.

Most of the films are near one hour in length and all of the films will be followed by one hour of discussion facilitated by the office sponsoring the film.

To see a list of the films that includes a short description, please check out the following website: www.housing.umn.edu/filmfestival/

Ada Comstock lecture presented by Prof. Brewer

Professor Rose Brewer will present the Fall 2009 Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture at 4:00 PM on November 5, 2009. "Colorblind, Postracial, or Not? Exploring Race in the Obama Era" is the topic for the event in the Cowles Auditorium of the Hubert H. Humphrey Center. Professor Brewer will share the results of her research and invite us all to become involved or re-involved as progressive social activists. The Ada Comstock award honors a University of Minnesota woman faculty member's exceptional research, scholarship, teaching, and leadership contributions via a public lecture. For more information about the Ada Comstock award visit the University of Minnesota Women's Center.

"The Power of Film" symposium

Award-winning documentarian, writer, and producer Llew Smith addresses issues of equity, race, and social consciousness in films such as Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? He is featured in the St. Catherine University Diversity Council's film symposium, "The Power of Film: An Agent for Social Equity and Social Justice," October 5-7 in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Community Arts job opportunity

The Mixed Blood Theatre seeks three Community Liaisons to the Somali community of the zip code 55454.

Mixed Blood's new "55454 Series" is aimed at bringing together the community of Cedar-Riverside through shared artistic experiences created and nurtured in its exceptionally rich zip code of 55454. For the first year of the Series, Mixed Blood seeks three Community Liaisons to coordinate the presentation of events highlighting the breadth of Somali arts in the neighborhood, as well as promote three plays staged by Mixed Blood with Muslim and African themes, characters, and content that will be offered free of charge to anyone who lives in 55454. Liaisons can expect about 100 hours of work between October and June. There is a modest stipend offered to each of the three Liaisons.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual in spoken English and Somali (bilingual written fluency preferred)
• Superior networking skills, with established connections to the Somali community
• Comfortable with concepts and duties relating to event publicity
• Outgoing personality, strong work ethic, independent and collaborative worker
• Passion for the arts and strengthening the Cedar-Riverside community

Elders, women, foreign-born individuals, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please submit application materials by Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Interviews will be the following week. Work begins the second week of October 2009 through mid-May 2010.

TO APPLY: Please contact Scott Artley, 55454 Series Coordinator, with a message that describes your background and interest in the position, what skills you can offer (based on the above skills/qualifications), and full contact information. Include a resume, if available.

To apply by email: scott@mixedblood.com

To apply by phone: 612-338-0984 (please leave a voice message)

To apply by mail: Mixed Blood Theatre, c/o Community Liaison Search, 1501 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Poetry Reading by Niyi Osundare

The University of Minnesota's Global Spotlight Initiative is hosting a poetry reading by award-winning Nigerian poet and human rights activist Niyi Osundare on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the University International Center, Room 101. Niyi Osundare is a prolific poet, dramatist, essayist and literary critic. He has received numerous awards for his poetry, including the Commonwealth Literary Prize and the Noma Award, as well as the Fonlon/Nichols award for "excellence in literary creativity combined with significant contributions to Human Rights in Africa." Following the reading there will be a reception for Twin Cities Africanists.

BGAPSA Kick-Off BBQ

The Black Graduate and Professional Students Association (BGAPSA) presents the BGAPSA Welcome Back Kick-Off BBQ. Join BGAPSA for a chance to meet the members of the 2009-2010 Black Graduate and Professional Students Association board, students across the university, faculty, as well as folks from community organizations.

Come meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy FREE FOOD! DJ Mixwell will also be spinning hip-hop, funk, and soul at the event. Friends, family, and allies are welcome as well.

DATE: Friday, September 25, 2009
TIME: 4:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
LOCATION: University of Minnesota Riverbend Plaza (behind Coffman Union).

Fourth Fridays at the Movies

"Fourth Fridays at the Movies" is a screening and discussion of vintage movies featuring African Americans as actors, producers, and/or directors. This month's movie (September 25) is Big Fella, featuring Paul Robeson. The event is held at the Golden Thyme Coffee & Café in St. Paul. A social moment is held from 6:30-7:00; the film begins at 7:00. For information on Fourth Fridays at the Movies, call Golden Thyme at (651) 645-1340.

Twin Cities Black Film Festival

The Twin Cities Black Film Festival provides an opportunity for independent filmmakers of color to have their works showcased before the community, and also serves as an avenue of discovery for industry professionals seeking new talent. The 2009 festival will be held on September 18-20.

social networking

The department now has a social networking presence. Fan us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter!

"Being Branded" cultural education concert

On September 17 and 18 the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce will bring to the Twin Cities a cultural education concert, "Being Branded," to generate awareness around the branding that minorities have had in their past and to stimulate individuals to move beyond those stereotypes. The cultural and education concert is a contemporary fusion of two art forms (modern dance and figure skating) allowing for movement explorations to take place on the ice where traditionally performed jumps and spins adopt an entirely new contextual significance. The concert's purpose is to inspire the audience to witness and feel something they have never seen or experienced before: stories and complexities of racial and cultural identity being told on the ice by national and international competitive performers of color.

A free performance is offered to high school and college students:

September 17 at the University of Minnesota's Ridder Ice Arena, 1901 4th St., SE Minneapolis, MN 55455. Performance and Post-concert Discussion: 9:30 a.m. - noon.

Contact Ashley Blocton at 651-777-9119 to register for the free concert. For additional info visit www.mbccculturaleventg.eventbrite.com/

Summer 2009 issue of "The Village"

The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.

Inside the Summer 2009 issue:

• welcome from the community outreach coordinator
  
• faculty spotlight
  
• your thoughts: Gates arrested
  
• opening doors in North Minneapolis
  
• course spotlight
  
• building a better Tomorrow
  
• upcoming events
  
• quote of the month

U of MN Dance introduces African Diasporic Movement

University of Minnesota Dance is thrilled to introduce a new dance technique track in African Diasporic Movement, with the goal of providing students a deep knowledge of dance forms of the African Diaspora, emphasizing impeccable technique practice and critical analysis.

Led by faculty members Patricia Brown and Marciano Silva dos Santos, this sequence begins with levels 1 and 2, an introduction to West African movement, centering on traditional dance and movement inspired by Africa, the Caribbean and the African Diaspora at large. Students learn to express energy through movement and discover the connection between drum and dance. During the second year, levels 3 and 4, students focus on Afro-Brazilian dance. Jumps and turns, floor work and rhythmic sections develop flexibility, strength and vocabulary in polycentric movement. A harmonious relationship between body and sound illuminates the constantly evolving dynamics of coordination, relaxation, breathing, and undulation.

Fall Semester Course Offerings:

African Diasporic Movement 1, 1 credit
DNCE 1500 Topics in Dance, Section 060, Class # 58916
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:10 - 11:40 a.m.
Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Instructor: Patricia Brown, (CCE Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient)
Prerequisites: none; 10 seats reserved for dance major students

African Diasporic Movement 3, 1 credit
DNCE 1500 Topics in Dance, Section 010, Class # 53677
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:10 - 11:40 a.m.
Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Instructor: Marciano Silva Dos Santos
Prerequisites: audition and department consent; 10 seats reserved for dance major students

To be considered for level 3, participate in the major and technique placement audition on Wednesday September 2, 2009, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Studio 100 of the Barbara Barker Center for Dance. Prior movement experience is not required to participate in the audition. Also pre-registration is not required, but please arrive by 8:30 a.m. More information on the audition process is online at dance.umn.edu/auditions.php. For more information about this curriculum sequence or University of Minnesota Dance please visit www.dance.umn.edu, call 612-624-5060 or email umdance@umn.edu.

Black in America 2

CNN will air two new shows in the series Black in America on July 22 and 23, 2009.

2009 Black Non-theism Conference

The first annual Black Non-Theism Conference will be held August 7-8, 2009, in Atlanta, GA. African American pantheists, deists, agnostics, and atheists will gather to discuss what it means to be an African American non-theist in the United States.

Future Scholars Program

The Future Scholars Program partners African American and African students in grades 9-11 at St. Paul's Arlington High School with University of Minnesota students to explore the steps needed to attend and graduate from college. The University/AHS student mentor pairs are currently working together to address college readiness, community, and educational issues, and will make a group presentation to St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman at the end of the mentoring period. The program was highlighted in a May press release from the University of Minnesota's Office for Equity and Diversity.

2009-2010 Fulbright Scholar from AA&AS

Congratulations to Antoni Tang, a 2009 candidate for bachelor's degrees in marketing and African American & African Studies, who will be a 2009-2010 Fulbright Scholar! Antoni received one of only three available Fulbright Teaching Assistant Grants to Venezuela. He will help to teach English to pre-teen and teenage students. Antoni also plans to volunteer with an Afro-Venezuelan organization in the community and plans to learn about Afro-Venezuelan movements for social justice.

April/May issue of "The Village"

The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.

Inside the April/May 2009 issue:

• welcome from the community outreach coordinator
  
• first impressions: shaping the path
  
• Ken Burns remembers John Hope Franklin
  
• CLA Outstanding Service Award: Charlene Hayes
  
• NOMMO African American Authors Series
  
• course spotlight
  
• faculty spotlight
  
• upcoming events
  
• quote of the month

Film: "What are we doing here?"

What are we doing here? &mdash an award winning documentary that looks at the effects of foreign aid in Africa &mdash will be showing at Minneapolis's Uptown Theater on May 4th at 7pm and May 6th at 11am. The film asks: after $600 billion in aid over 45 years, why have living conditions gotten worse for most Africans? Filmmakers Brandon, Nicholas, Daniel, and Tim Klein travel overland from Cairo to Cape Town, meeting with farmers, journalists, presidents, aid workers, aid recipients, and others in order to better understand the effects of foreign aid in Africa, the root causes of poverty, and solutions for the future. A trailer, synopsis, interviews, and more are availabe at www.whatarewedoinghere.net

MSP International Film Festival

The 27th Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 16-30 at various venues in the Twin Cities. The festival includes several films from Africa.

NOMMO African American Authors series

On Thursday, April 23, the NOMMO African American Authors series concludes its 2008-2009 season. Professor Alexs Pate hosts fiction writer and cultural commentator Ntozake Shange at 7:00 PM in Cowles Auditorium (located in the Hubert H. Humphrey Center.) Ntozake Shange is author of the play for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf: a choreopoem, which won an Obie and was nominated for Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards. Shange has also published four novels, including Pen-Faulkner nominee Indigo. Her poetry collections include: A Daughter's Geography, Nappy Edges, Ridin' the Moon in Texas, and The Space Love Demands.

The Somali Refugee Experience

Getting Here From There: The Somali Refugee Experience

April 14, 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
Location: Room 25 Mondale Hall (Law School)
Cost: Free and open to the public.

From the refugee camps of Dadaab, Kenya to Libya, Malta, and the European mainland, Somali refugees have faced and continue to face harrowing journeys as they search for a better life, journeys that include detention, discrimination, and even torture. The Somali Documentary Project is recording the stories of the Somali Diaspora as they happen, not only for historical record, but also to encourage action on important human rights issues raised by this wave of migration. Join the University of Minnesota's Human Rights Center for an evening of advocacy, discussion, and stories. Dinner will be served.

March 2009 issue of "The Village"

The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.

Inside the March 2009 issue:

• welcome from the community outreach coordinator
  
• John Hope Franklin
  
• alumna Rebecca Fly
  
• teaming up to create change
  
• course spotlight
  
• faculty spotlight
  
• upcoming events
  
• quote of the month

National Public Health Week Film Festival

The National Public Health Week Film Festival will be held April 6-11, 2009. Events of Saturday, April 11, will include Public Service Announcements (PSAs) created by high school students from communities of color. The goals of these PSAs were to: (1) engage high school students from communities of color in the creation and production of video messages about a public health topic that affects their community, (2) provide student mentors from the University in the development of public messages, and (3) make available a forum at the University where participants can express their ideas about health disparities to diverse audiences.

John Hope Franklin

Historian John Hope Franklin passed away at age 94 on March 25, 2009. Professor Franklin was a pioneer in African American Studies. Duke University has set up a web site in his memory.

Muslims in Minnesota radio series

KFAI radio launched a month-long series on March 10, 2009 that explores what it means to be Muslim in Minnesota. This series compiles stories ranging from controversial to inspiring. Listeners will hear how a Muslim immigrant struggles with questions of identity, law, and faith after getting arrested for a crime and facing possible deportation. One story shows how some women are creating their own definition of feminism. Still another story asks what drives Minnesota Hip Hop artists who intertwine their faith with the pounding beats and steady rhythms of their art form. Some of the stories are produced by Muslim reporters who bring their own perspectives and insights to their work.

Muslims in Minnesota runs every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 6pm during the KFAI Evening News: 90.3FM, Minneapolis, and 106.7FM, St. Paul.

Broadcast Schedule:
March 10 - Faith in Hip Hop
March 11 – One Strike and You're Out - Facing the Criminal Justice System
March 12 – Wearing Faith on their Sleeves: Muslim Tees
March 17 - Empowered Muslim Women
March 18 - In Search of the Minnesotan Muslim
March 19 - Muslim Immigrants Learn English
March 24 - Music and Sufi Islam in the Twin Cities
March 25 - Muslim Burial Traditions
March 26 - The Line Between Mosque and State

The Muslims in Minnesota series is produced in cooperation with the University of Minnesota's Meeting Minnesota's Muslims initiative.

auction of first African American comic book

The first comic book by and for African Americans is up for auction. 1947's All-Negro Comics No. 1 is for sale by comics entrepreneur Stephen Fishler. The comic book &mdash featuring characters such as detective Ace Harlem and Hep Chicks on Parade &mdash is for sale online at the ComicConnect Event Auction.

Nation of Immigrants?

When people claim that America is a nation of immigrants, what do they mean? At 7:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2009, artists of color and indigenous poets from Minnesota respond. This free event in room 120 of the University of Minnesota's Andersen Library will feature short performances by Marcie Rendon, Juliana Hu Pegues, Titiana Ormaza, Ibe Kaba, Preeti Kaur, Lorena Duarte, Tish Jones, Diego Vazquez, and Charlotte Albrecht, and include a special presentation by the Immigrant Freedom Network.

State of the Black Union

The February 28, 2009 "State of the Black Union" will re-air on C-SPAN2 Friday, March 6, 2009, 7:00 PM (Central Time). The theme of this year's event is "Making America As Good As Its Promise."

spoken word at Bryant Lake Bowl

At 7:00 PM on Friday, February 28, The Poetic Assassins will appear at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. The Poetic Assassins are spoken word artists/socal justice activists.

40th Anniversary videos

Two videos are now available on our 40th Anniversary webpage: the November 7, 2008 "1968 Morrill Hall Takeover: Reflections on Black Bodies in Resistance" panel discussion; and "Morrill Hall Takeover 1969-2009: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants," a film made by youth from Minneapolis' Hope Community.

February 2009 issue of "The Village"

The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.

Inside the February 2009 issue:

• welcome from the community outreach coordinator
  
• future scholars mentorship
  
• course spotlight
  
• NOMMO African American authors series
  
• student profile
  
• faculty spotlight
  
• upcoming events
  
• quote of the month

February 18 "Coffee Hour" presentation

The department's Spring 2009 "Coffee Hour" series will be composed of presentations from senior undergraduate students. On Wednesday, February 18, Noah Sims will present "Who Were the Zanj?" from 2:30-4:00 in the Geneva H. Southall Library (Social Sciences Tower 815). Noah will examine a community of Africans who overthrew labor-intensive slavery in 9th Century Southern Iraq.

The Atlantic's "State of the Union"

The January/February 2009 of The Atlantic magazine has several articles on American race relations in the "State of the Union" section:

• "The End of White America?"
  
• "American Girl [Michelle Obama]"
  
• "Race Over?"

40th Anniversary documentary

CLA Media Mill Video

A slightly larger version of the video can be viewed on St. Paul Neighborhood Network Access.

NOMMO Author Series: John Edgar Wideman

On Thursday, February 5, 7:00 P.M. at the University of Minnesota Cowles Auditorium, AA&AS professor Alexs Pate discusses the state of the art of African American literature with John Edgar Wideman, the author of more than 18 books of fiction and nonfiction. Wideman was the first writer to win the PEN/Faulkner Award twice, in 1984 for Sent for You Yesterday and in 1990 for Philadelphia Fire. His memoir Brothers and Keepers received a National Book Critics Circle nomination, and his memoir Fatheralong was a finalist for the National Book Award. In addition, he has won the Rea Award for the Short Story, the Lannan Foundation Fellowship for Fiction, and the MacArthur grant. Wideman's articles on Malcolm X, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, Eminem, Thelonious Monk, and others have appeared in The New Yorker, Vogue, Esquire, Emerge, and The New York Times Magazine. Wideman is on the faculty of the African Studies Department of Brown University. The NOMMO African American Author Series is sponsored by the Givens Foundation for African American Literature in partnership with the University of Minnesota and the Friends of the University Libraries.

President Obama's Inauguration

Many Minnesotans are making pilgrimages to Washington, D.C. to witness President Obama's historic inauguration. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has posted a multimedia story about an event most African Americans did not think they would see in their lifetimes.

January 24, 2009 40th Anniversary roundtable discussion

Morrill Hall 40 Years Later: The Legacy Of Activism and Engaged Scholarship Continues, a roundtable discussion on the Morrill Hall Occupation of 1969 will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2009, 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Presidents Room of Coffman Memorial Union.

In January of 1969 Black students at the University of Minnesota staged an occupation of Morrill Hall &mdash home of University administration &mdash to demand the creation of a department committed to Black studies. Their actions led to the formation of the University's Department of African American & African Studies, along with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advising Office and the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence.

On the 40th anniversary of that event, Twin Cities community members and participants in the 1969 Morrill Hall Takeover will convene a roundtable discussion to review the events of January, 1969, and to reflect on the legacy of their actions. They will also talk about the role of activism today. The public is welcome to attend and will be invited to participate in a question and answer session.

Panelists:

• Spike Moss, The Way community organization (1969)
  
• Lester Cannon, U of M Student (1969)
  
• Mahmoud El-Kati, The Way community organization (1969)
  
• Marie Braddock Williams, U of M Student (1969)
  
• Dr. Horace Huntley, U of M Student (1969)
  
• Rose Freeman Massey, U of M Student (1969)
  
• Dr. John Wright, U of M Student (1969); AA&AS faculty member
  
• Jared E. Leighton, graduate student at the U of Nebraska, and author of the Master's degree thesis "'A Small Revolution': The Role of a Black Power Revolt in Creating and Sustaining a Black Studies Department at the University of Minnesota."

December-January issue of "The Village"

The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.

Inside the December 2008-January 2009 issue:

• welcome from the community outreach coordinator
  
• outreach website
  
• alumni profile
  
• course spotlight
  
• youth stand on the shoulders of giants
  
• faculty spotlight
  
• upcoming events
  
• quote of the month

From Every Voice concert

The University of Minnesota's annual "From Every Voice" concert commemorating Martin Luther King Day will be held on February 22, 2009. This year's concert features the a cappella group Take 6.