News Release

Performances, speakers and student events will mark the celebration of Black History Month 2003 on the Homewood campus of The Johns Hopkins University. Organized by members of Johns Hopkins' Black Student Union, the program spans the month of February and features an art show, a lecture series about music with African influences and several guest speakers, including poet Nikki Giovanni. Black History Month 2003 chair is sophomore Gerald Ali Rasheed Jr. of Pasadena, Md.

Following is a list of events open to the public. For more information about these events, call the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at 410-516-2224.

Friday, Jan. 31, noon - 1 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies
Glass Pavilion, Levering Student Union
An overview of the month's events. Refreshments will be served. Free. Open to the public.

Banquet, 8 p.m.
Glass Pavilion, Levering Student Union
Opening Ceremonies continue with a banquet. Free. Open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Nikki Giovanni
Shriver Hall Auditorium
A presentation by poet, essayist and lecturer Nikki Giovanni, whose work has influenced the black arts movement. Free. Open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, noon - 2 p.m.
Discussion
Great Hall, Levering Student Union
Dr. Nahum Chandler, the Du Bois Scholar in the Johns Hopkins University Humanities Center, will moderate a discussion of W.E.B. Du Bois' book The Souls of Black Folk at its 100th anniversary. Presented by the Sheridan Libraries MSE Diversity Book and Video Discussion Group, the Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Black Student Union. Light refreshments provided. Participants are welcome to bring their lunches. Reservations at 410-516-6050 or bfsa@jhu.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Info Session: Who is the Griot?
AMR Multipurpose Room
The first installment of an interactive lecture series about the origins of music with African influences. Free. Open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 5, noon - 2 p.m.
Workshop with Lea A. Gilmore
SDS Room, Mattin Center
Jazz and gospel composer and musician Lea Gilmore will conduct a workshop focusing on the history of jazz and gospel music. Light refreshments provided. Free. Open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Info Session: Slave spirituals, gospel and blues
AMR Multipurpose Room
The second installment of an interactive lecture series about the origins of music with African influences. Free. Open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The African American dance ensemble
Shriver Hall Auditorium
The African American Dance Ensemble seeks to preserve and share the finest traditions of African and African American dance and music through research, education and entertainment. $5 students; $10 general public.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Info Session: Jazz
AMR Multipurpose Room
The third installment of an interactive lecture series about the origins of music with African influences. Free. Open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m
Film, Discussion
Great Hall, Levering Student Union
Dr. Nahum Chandler, the Du Bois Scholar in the Johns Hopkins University Humanities Center, will moderate a discussion following the film "W.E.B. Du Bois: A Biography in Four Voices." Presented by the Sheridan Libraries MSE Diversity Book and Video Discussion Group, the Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Black Student Union. Refreshments will be served. Reservations at 410-516-6050 or bfsa@jhu.edu.

Friday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m.
Art Show
E-Level and Great Hall, Levering Student Union
Local artists Larry Scott and Jeffery Kent will be presenting works with a musical theme. They will discuss the influence various songs had in the creation of their works. Free. Open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
Cabaret
Arellano Theatre
The Dunbar Baldwin Hughes Theatre Company presents its annual Black History Month cabaret and dinner theater, "Black Love, Black Strength, The Black Family." $7 for Johns Hopkins students; $10 for the public. For information, call 410-235-0631.

Tuesday, Feb. 25, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Info Session: Rock to Hip-Hop
AMR Multipurpose Room
The fourth installment of an interactive lecture series about the origins of music with African influences. Free. Open to the public.