WMU events mark Black History Month
February 9, 1999
KALAMAZOO -- Activities including a minority health fair and
an examination of the role of modern gospel music are among events
set to mark the February observance of Black History Month at
Western Michigan University.
The following events are among activities sponsored by the
University's Division of Minority Affairs in concert with other
campus units. A number of other guest speakers and artists scheduled
for February appearances also will focus on Black history and
culture.
- The role of African American inventors will be the topic
during a presentation of the play "1,001 Black Inventions,"
which will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12,
in the East Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. Pin Points Theatre,
a musical theatre troupe from Washington, D.C., will focus on
African American contributions to modern life in a free public
event.
- A health fair focusing on African American health issues
is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the lobby of
the Bernhard Center. Sponsored by the Division of Minority Affairs,
the School of Nursing and the Association for Minorities in the
Biological Sciences, the fair will focus on providing health
screening services such as blood pressure checks as well as disseminate
a wealth of information on such topics as heart disease, breast
cancer and prostate cancer.
- Gospel music and its role outside the church in modern society
will be the topic Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20, when music
scholars from around the country and gospel musicians from Michigan
gather for an annual music festival sponsored by WMU's Black
American Studies Program. "Exposition IV: The 'Rap' on Contemporary
Gospel" is the theme of the event, which will take place
from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. both evenings in the Dalton Center Recital
Hall. The festival also is sponsored by the Division of Minority
Affairs and a number of other campus units.
For more information about Black History Month events, person
should contact Sherrie Fuller in WMU's Division of Minority Affairs
at 616 387-4785. For information on the gospel music festival,
contact the Black Americana Studies Program office at 616 387-2665.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu
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