Source: Brandon Hall, branhall@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010

K-STATE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN FEBRUARY WITH A VARIETY OF EVENTS

MANHATTAN -- The Black Student Union and other multicultural organizations at Kansas State University are planning a variety of events to mark the national celebration of Black History Month in February.

The theme for the month at K-State focuses on the past, present and future. The month's main logo features a black-and-white photograph of Martin Luther King to represent the past, and a color photo of President Barack Obama to represent the present and the future, according to Brandon Hall, junior in marketing, Overland Park, and president of the K-State Black Student Union.

"Black History Month allows us to commemorate the accomplishments of African-Americans," Hall said. "This is not just for us, but for everybody because most of the accomplishments of African-Americans have not only affected black people, but the nation as a whole."

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

* "History of Our Race," an introduction to Black History Month, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, in Room 212 of the K-State Student Union. The event will include the showing of the movie, "A War for Your Soul," followed by a "Discussion with the Elders." Following the event, participants are invited to attend a Haiti Relief Fund Dinner at Chili's in Manhattan. The dinner is in collaboration with the Beta Psi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

* "Soul Cafe," a presentation of journals and diaries from the civil rights movement, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in the Flint Hills Room of the Union.

* The workshop forum "Respect the Ladies/Respect the Gents," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the Union's Room 212.

* "Travel the Timeline: A Night of Music and Dance," 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Union Station and featuring performances from the student hip-hop dance group, Poize, and the United Black Voices.

* "The History of Stepping," a documentary following the timeline of the step dance movement, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, in Room 212 of the Union.

* The Kappa Pi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will present the Big 12 Fashion Show, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Room 212 of the Union.

* The Eta Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will present the DSTinguished Gents award ceremony, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in the Union's Cottonwood Room.

* A lecture by Hasani Pettiford, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, in the Union's Big 12 Room. Pettiford is the chairman and CEO of Hasani Pettiford Enterprises, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations. His lecture will look at personal growth and development, wealth creation and interpersonal relationships.