A highly impressive roster
of African-American scholars, educators, historians, activists and lecturers
will discuss and debate critical issues of importance to the African American
community at the 23rd Annual Black Studies Conference from April 12-15
at Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave. The event is open to the
public.
"The Challenge of Re-establishing
Community: Re-connecting African American in a Disconnected Age"is the
theme of the Conference, which is the Midwest's oldest and premier event
of its kind, and is presented by the African-American Studies Association.
During plenary sessions and
other special events, panelists, special guests, Olive-Harvey College faculty
and students will engage in lively discussion about such topics as "African
American Youth and the Road to Scholarship," "The Prison Industrial Complex
and the Problem of Continuity of Community" and "The Current State of African
American Politics."
Serving as speaker during
the opening address on March 13 will be the renown Lerone Bennett, Jr.,
executive editor of Ebony magazine and author of several books,
including "The Shaping of Black America," "Before the Mayflower: A History
of Black America: and " What Manner of Manner: A Biography of Martin Luther
King, Jr." Bennett has served as an advisor and consultant to several national
organizations and commissions, including the National Advisory Commission
on Civil Disorders.
He also was a member of the
African American Institutional Study at the Smithsonian Institute. A member
of the board of trustees at his alma mater Morehouse College, Bennett has
traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa and lectured at colleges
throughout the country.
Other special guests will
include Dr. Maulana Karenga, widely known as the creator of the Kwanzaa
holiday, who will discuss "Think Tanks, Loose Cannons and Dream Teams:
Starwars in the 21st Century" beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the April 14 luncheon
at Olive-Harvey College.
Dr. Karenga also will participate
in a discussion on "Euro-American Cultural Imperialism and African America:
A Problem of Consciousness and Community." He is chairman of the Department
of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Among his
numerous affiliations and leadership posts, Dr. Karenga is national chairman
of The Organization Us, a cultural and social change organization.
"Now that the new millennium
is here and the technology age continues, it's incumbent upon us to continue
making critical analyses about our current condition and provide ideas
for our future. This conference will do just that,"said Armstead Allen,
founder of the Black Studies Conference and a professor in the Black Studies
department at Olive-Harvey College. "Once again, we're proud to bring together
many of the finest minds in our community."
Also participating in other
sessions will be Dr. Jacob Carruthers, director of the Kemetic Institute
and a professor at the Center for Inner City Studies in Chicago; Dr. B.J.
Bolden, director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University;
and William Warfield, musicologist at Northwestern University. Former Gary,
Ind., Mayor Richard Hatcher will provide insight at a special session on
April 14 titled "the African American Community Connection: A Quest to
Fill the Policy Void."
On Saturday, April 15, Dr.
Asa G. Hillard, Fuller E. Calloway Professor of Urban Education at Georgia
State University, will keynote the annual banquet beginning at 7:00 p.m.
at the Third Baptist Church Heritage Plaza, 1500 W. 95th Street. Tickets
purchased in advance of the banquet are $50 for non-students. The cost
of the April 14 luncheon is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information on
the Black Studies Conference, call Armstead Allen, Conference Coordinator
and Convener, at 773/291/6280. For conference information on the Internet,
visit http://culturelab.netOHBSC23/ohbsc23.HTM.