"Same Difference" play

Minneapolis' Pillsbury House Theatre is now presenting Same Difference, about two African American college roomates from very different backgrounds. Reviews can be found on the main page of Illusion Theater, where the play was previously staged.

Global Media <-> Diasporic Cultures series

Along with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, AA&AS is the primary sponsor of a 2008 speaker series, Global Media <-> Diasporic Cultures. Two speakers have already visited campus; join us on March 12 for the next speaker: Sean Jacobs will present "Globalization, Liberal Democracy, Mass Media, and the Rainbow Nation" on March 12.

"Living the Hiplife" screening

On Thursday, February 28, AA&AS graduate student Nneka Onyilofor will screen the new documentary Living the Hiplife, about rap music in West Africa. The screening and discussion will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 in room 10 of Blegen Hall. Snacks will be provided.

BSU dinner with Bobby Seale

The Black Student Union is hosting a dinner with Bobby Seale at 6:00 on February 27. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for faculty/staff and the general public. Contact bsu@umn.edu for more information.

SHEROES panel

On February 21 the Minnesota Metro Area Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) will be hosting a panel discussion: "SHEROES - Standing Tall and Walking Proud Through It All." These inspiring leaders and public servants will share wisdom and lessons learned from their personal and professional journey. The panelists will educate, enlighten and encourage others to embrace the fact that they too can stand tall and walk proud through all of life's challenges. The panel will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

SHEROES:

S - Shape public policies
H - Help build bridges and alliances
E - Engage their constituencies
R - Reach out to educate & reach back to uplift
O - Overcome obstacles and challenges
E - Empower others to achieve their goals
S - Stand for social and economic justice for all

Black Conservatives: Myths and Realities

William Mitchell College of Law is hosting a Black History Month event on Thursday, February 21, from noon to 1:30: Black Conservatives -- Myths and Realities.

Panelists:

• Roscoe Howard, former U.S. Attorney
  
• Peter Bell, chairman of the Metropolitan Council
  
• Michael Jordan, law professor
  
• Michell Jones, attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office
  
• Moderator: Professor John Radsan, former Deptartment of Justice attorney and CIA assistant general counsel

Date: Thursday, February 21

Time: Noon - 1:30 (appetizers and beverages served)

Place: Auditorium; William Mitchell College of Law (875 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102)

Contact: Please contact Kate Johansen (katherine.johansen@wmitchell.edu) with questions or requests for additional information.

Save Yar fundraiser

In parts of South Sudan, bandits steal children from other communities like cattle. Hundreds of abductions in recent years have gone unpunished as these human-rights violations are overshadowed by other problems. The Save Yar Campaign has been working hard from Minneapolis since October to stop this wave of abductions. We took our campaign to Washington, D.C. and, with the support of Congress and federal departments, met with South Sudan's president.

Now it's time to carry this campaign to the place where the change has to occur: South Sudan. The campaign is preparing to send three University of Minnesota students to South Sudan to meet with government officials and tribal leaders to build a coalition aimed at ending child abduction and returning abducted children to their families. We'll meet with local researchers who can carry forward the campaign on the ground long-term.

We will undertake this trip with volunteer labor and donated lodging and ground transportation. But to make it happen, we need to raise the funds to cover airfare, visas, meals, and phone calls.

Join us for lunch this Saturday for a fun and delicious way to contribute to this grassroots campaign!

Come to Tam-Tam's African Restaurant in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood this Saturday, February 16, anytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to sample sensational East African cuisine at this cutting-edge eatery; mix and mingle with fellow Minnesotans concerned with Africa; buy a Save Yar T-shirt; and pledge a specific part of the students' trip.