Source: Carmen Ellis, 913-526-9339, cellis2@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

K-STATE OFFERS SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY AS PART OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MANHATTAN -- In observance of Black History Month, Kansas State University is offering a variety of activities for students and the community to enjoy during February.

Among the highlights of the month will be a free performance by Step Afrika at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, in McCain Auditorium. The professional step group entertains audiences across the country with its intricate kicks, stomps and rhythms. Tickets, which are free and available to K-State students, faculty, staff and the public, are required for the performance and must be presented at the door for admission. Tickets can be picked up at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The performance is sponsored by K-State's office of diversity and dual career development and the K-State Student Union's Union Program Council. More information is available by calling 785-532-6428 or 785-532-2760.

Black History Month activities at K-State, all free and open to the public unless otherwise noted, include:

* "Greek Switch Day," a step show, will be 7-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Union Station in the Union. Admission is $3. The performance is sponsored by K-State's chapter of the National Pan Hellenic Council and Black Student Union.

* Ed Gordon, a television and news personality, will discuss "The Mass Media's Perception of the Presidential Election" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the Union's main ballroom. Gordon has been the leading news anchor for Black Entertainment Television and was a correspondent for "60 Minutes." He currently has his own daily public affairs program on National Public Radio. The lecture is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association.

* The Soul Cafe will be open from 8:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the courtyard of the K-State Student Union. The cafe will feature hot cocoa, live jazz music and spoken word.

* Hasani Pettiford will present the lecture "Black Guys and Bedroom Lies" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Union's Little Theater. Pettiford is an award-winning author and speaker. He is a recognized expert on human sexuality, interpersonal relationships, and personal growth and development.

* The film "Birth of a Nation" will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Student Union's Little Theater. Set during the Civil War, the film has been called one of the most influential and controversial in American history.

* Sam Greenlee will be on hand for a screening of the movie "Spook Who Sat by the Door," based on his book with the same title, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Union's Forum Hall. The movie is a both a satire of the civil rights struggle in the U.S. and a serious look at black militancy. It is sponsored by the Black Student Union and Union Program Council.