Feb 1, 2008 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – Seeking to provoke critical thought and meaningful discussion about the significance of artistic, cultural, political and economic contributions of African-Americans, the annual celebration of Black History Month will be held throughout February at California University of Pennsylvania. According to Dr. Kelton Edmonds, assistant professor in the history and political science department, the busy agenda keeps with the basic tenet of the Black History Month Programming Committee (BHMPC) to constantly heighten awareness of immense contributions and achievements of African-Americans.

“In our first year of programming, survey recordings unveiled the success of the committee’s planning, as attendance surpassed 1,232 overall attendees at our events,” Edmonds said.

“Consequently, the BHMPC events have exceeded all expectations in attendance and interest,” he added.

The theme of the 2008 programs, “Our Heritage Revealed: Celebrating Our Past While Building Our Future,” will be explored through several unique multi-disciplinary events and media forums, Edmonds said.

As part of the events, the “Weekly Brown Bag Series” will feature student presentations each Tuesday.

The keynote speaker for Black History Month is Dr. Mary Frances Berry, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. Her presentation in the Natali Student Center’s Performance Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 is open to the public with no admission charge.

Appointed by President Carter and confirmed by the Senate as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Berry was one of the founders of the Free South Africa Movement in the 1980s, which instigated protests at the South African Embassy in the successful struggle for democracy in South Africa.

She has received more than 30 honorary doctoral degrees and numerous awards for her public service and scholarly activities, and the Women’s Hall of Fame named her one of the women of the century.

Each Thursday throughout February, other guest speakers will entertain and enlighten spectators, as well.

On Feb. 14, Dr. Charles Robinson will present “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? College Students and Interracial Relationships in the New Millennium,” at 11 a.m. in Duda Hall room 103.

Robinson is the director of African-American Studies at the University of Arkansas. He is also a recipient of the Fulbright Master Teacher Award.

Carnegie Mellon University’s Dr. Joe W. Trotter, a specialist in U.S. urban, labor and African-American history, will entertain audiences on Feb. 21 with his lecture titled, “African Americans in Industrial America.”

Dr. Will Torrence, a scholar in health policy issues and a faculty member of the School of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will present “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness: Health Care as a Civil Right,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in room 103 of Duda Hall.

“Anyone who wants to share and partake in any event is definitely welcome,” Edmonds said.

For more information on a list of all the month’s activities, visit www.cup.edu/liberalarts/history/index.jsp. The events will be posted in the near future. Edmonds’ office phone is 724-938-5788 or e-mail Edmonds_k@cup.edu