Liberia is next topic for Portage discussion series
Feb. 3, 2004
KALAMAZOO--A Western Michigan expert on the west African nation of Liberia will discuss the role the United States played in establishing the republic at a Tuesday, Feb. 10, presentation that is part of WMU's observance of Black History Month.
Dr. Lawrence T. Potter Jr., WMU assistant professor and director of the Africana Studies Program, will direct a discussion about the country as part of the Learning OutLoud Discussion Series at 7 p.m. in the Portage Senior Center at the Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage Mich. The session is free and open to the public.
"Much of my discussion will also focus on the cultural connections of black Americans settling Liberia, and how, through generations, the Africanization of American blacks shaped new meanings for African and American exchanges," says Potter.
In addition to the discussion, Potter will share the poetry of a native Liberian's experiences in the American Midwest.
Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, WMU associate professor of counselor education and counseling psychology, serves as moderator and coordinator of the series. Sessions are formatted with a series of questions posed by Andreadis before discussion is opened up to the audience. A list of relevant books will be provided at the end of the evening for those wanting additional information.
The 2003-04 Learning OutLoud Discussion Series is made possible by a $1000 grant given by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. For more information, contact the Portage District Library at (269) 329-4542 ext. 600, or visit the Web at <www.portagelibrary.info>. Andreadis can be reached at (269) 387-3881.
Media contact: Matt Gerard, 269 387-8400, matthew.gerard@wmich.edu