The Value of Kwanzaa

On December 26, 2010 Associate Professor Keith Mayes was interviewed by National Public Radio (NPR) about The Value of Kwanzaa.

Somalis in Minnesota

According to December 2010 American Community Survey data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 30% of Americans with Somali ancestry live in Minnesota: approximately 25,000 out of about 85,700.

"Wigger" screening and discussion

The movie Wigger will be screened at the University of Minnesota's Coffman Theater on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 6:30-9:00 pm. This spellbinding urban drama chronicles the life of a young, White male named Brandon who totally emulates and immerses himself in African American life and culture. Shot in North Omaha, Nebraska, Brandon struggles to find a place for himself in a world in which he rejects his Whiteness, but is not always fully embraced by African American culture.

Join us for an evening with Dr. Omowale Akintunde, writer and director of Wigger for the film's premiere in Minnesota, followed by a discussion and Q&A session, facilitated by AA&AS faculty Keith Mayes and Alexs Pate.

The event is free, but registration is required online, or call Thien Nguyen-August at 651-772-4254.

For more information visit http://www.minnesotahumanities.org/wigger, or contact
James Zacchini, 651-772-4249, james@minnesotahumanities.org

The University District

The University District is an alliance established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2007 to define a vision for the future development of four historic neighborhoods surrounding the University of Minnesota. In Voices of the University District residents and business owners describe life near a major urban university.

Nollywood

The blog for Afar magazine has an interesting post about Nollywood, Nigeria's film industry.

NOMMO African American authors series

On Wednesday, November 3, the NOMMO African American Authors series begins its 2010-2011 season. Professor Alexs Pate hosts poet Patricia Smith at 7:00 PM in Cowles Auditorium (located in the Hubert H. Humphrey Center.) Patricia Smith is the author of five acclaimed poetry volumes, including a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award, Blood Dazzler, which chronicles the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina.

African American Family Scholarship Information Night

Have questions about paying for college? Go to African American Family Scholarship Information Night to learn how. Families with children of all ages are welcome to hear useful information from college admission and financial aid people, current college students, and parents.

Date/Time: October 26, 2010, 5-8:30 pm
Place: North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center, 1711 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411
More information: http://www.mmep.org/mmep_events.html