Black History Month Reading: Poet Calvin Forbes On Campus February 28th

Chestertown, MD, February 21, 2002 — The Sophie Kerr Committee, in celebration of Black History Month, presents poet Calvin Forbes reading from his work on Thursday, February 28, 2002, at 4:30 p.m. in the College's Sophie Kerr Room, Miller Library. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

A former assistant professor of creative writing at the College, Forbes is "one of the prominent black voices to develop out of the 1970s . . . He communicates a . . . highly moral philosophy as well as the thoughts and emotions of a writer whose artistic ability and vision are still expanding," according to Dictionary of Literary Biography essayist Robert A. Coles. Forbes spent his poet's apprenticeship hitchhiking around the United States, working with poet Jose Garcia Villa at the New School for Social Research, and studying the works of John Donne, Gwendolyn Brooks and Philip Larkin. Whether writing about the lives of street people or the origin of the artistic impulse, in all his work, observes Coles, "Forbes is skillful in the way he suggests double, and sometimes, triple layered meanings through tight control over simile and metaphor, both of which spark clear, powerful phrases and images."

Forbes was born in Newark, NJ in 1945. He attended the New School for Social Research, Rutgers University, and Brown University, where he earned his M.F.A. His books of poetry include "The Shine Poems" (Louisiana State University Press, 2001), "From the Book of Shine" (1979), and "Blue Monday" (1974). His poems have appeared in many journals and can be found in anthologies such as "A Century in Two Decades: A Burning Deck Anthology, 1961-81" (1982) and "New Black Voices" (1972). His honors and awards include fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference. Forbes currently is an associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he teaches writing, literature and jazz history.

Writer, Performer and Blues Singer Arthur Flowers to Perform at Washington College February 14th

Chestertown, MD, January 31, 2002 — In celebration of Black History Month, writer, storyteller and blues singer Arthur Flowers will present an evening of performance literature and music, Thursday, February 14, 2002, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington College's Norman James Theatre, William Smith Hall. The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

Flowers is the author of two novels, De Mojo Blues and Another Good Loving Blues, a children's book Cleveland Lee's Beale Street Band, and the forthcoming nonfiction book, Mojo Rising: Confessions of a 21st Century Conjureman. He writes and performs as a "literary hoodoo man" to bridge the gap between Western literary culture and African oral traditions. He is the co-founder of the New Renaissance Writer's Guild and teaches creative writing at Syracuse University.

Flowers considers himself a contemporary griot, referring to the storytellers of ancient African societies who passed on the history of their people to future generations through the oral tradition. Using "performance literature" as the medium, Flowers accompanies his presentations with African instruments and rhythms.

Although a native of Memphis, Flowers did not discover blues music and culture until he moved to New York to become a writer after serving in Vietnam. While researching the blues and the Hoodoo religious tradition, he became more deeply dedicated to uncovering the African traditions that have influenced American culture and to making the African vernacular a greater power and living part of our nation's literary tradition and language forms.

The performance is sponsored by the Sophie Kerr Committee, the Washington College Chapter of Cleopatra's Daughters and the Office of Campus Events.

For more information on these or other events at Washington College, call the Campus Events Office at 410-778-7888.

Black History Month Events at Washington College

Chestertown, MD, January 28, 2002 — In celebration of Black History Month, Washington College has several events highlighting African-American history, culture and literature. All events are free and the public is invited to attend.

Tuesday, February 12
The C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, the Center for the Study of Black Culture, and the Black Student Union of Washington College, in celebration of Black History Month, present FREEDOM, FAITH, AND TERROR: THOUGHTS ON THE DAWNING AGE, a talk by Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Martin Luther King, Jr. Washington College, Norman James Theatre, William Smith Hall, 8 p.m.

Thursday, February 14
LOVE JONES, a poetry reading sponsored by the Washington College Chapter of Cleopatra's Daughters O'Neill Literary House, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 14
Writer, poet, storyteller and blues singer ARTHUR FLOWERS, performing in the Washington College's Norman James Theatre, William Smith Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 20
A night of POETRY AND MUSIC IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY. Participants include students, staff, and a surprise faculty musical performance! Washington College Student Center, Town Hall stage, 8 pm to 9:30pm.

Thursday, February 28
The Sophie Kerr Committee, in celebration of Black History Month, presents poet CALVIN FORBES reading from his work. Washington College, Sophie Kerr Room, Miller Library, 4:30 p.m.

Month of February, Lobby of Miller Library
FRATERNITY, CHARITY, LOYALTY: THE STORY OF CHESTERTOWN'S CHARLES SUMNER POST OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Display traces the history of the lodge built by African Americans as a Civil War veterans' meeting hall shortly after the turn of the Twentieth century. The Charles Sumner Post was an important part of Chestertown's black community for over a century. Now abandoned, the structure may be the only remaining example of its kind in Maryland, and serves as a monument to an all but forgotten aspect of Kent County's Civil War past.

Taylor Branch to Speak on Civil Rights in the Wake of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks

Chestertown, MD, January 17, 2002 — In celebration of Black History Month, the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, the Center for the Study of Black Culture, and the Black Student Union of Washington College present "FREEDOM, FAITH, AND TERROR: THOUGHTS ON THE DAWNING AGE," a talk by Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Tuesday, February 12, 2002, at 8 p.m. in the College's Norman James Theatre, William Smith Hall. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Branch's talk will focus on reinterpreting the legacy of Martin Luther King in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and how the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement can be carried on amidst concerns for national security and public safety. Branch is the award-winning writer of a multi-volume history of the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63" and "Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-5." These exhaustive treatments of the early history, personalities and politics of the Civil Rights Movement—representing 13 years of writing and research—have established Branch as a national authority, and he frequently advised President Clinton on racial matters and civil rights issues during his terms. Currently Branch is working on the third and final installment in this history, titled At Canaan's Edge.

The C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College opened in Fall 2001 to encourage the broad study of American history and culture and the ways we give daily new meaning to what George Washington called "the great experiment." In keeping with the special history and character of Washington College, the Center focuses on the nation's founding moment, ideals and experiences by highlighting contemporary scholarship and research in these areas.

Cornel West to Speak on Race Matters

Chestertown, MD, February 23, 2001 — Dr. Cornel West, Harvard Professor of Afro-American Studies, will speak on the subject of race in contemporary American politics, economy and culture on Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. in the Gibson Fine Arts Center, Tawes Theatre at Washington College. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Dr. West is the author of Race Matters (Vintage Books, 1994) and Beyond Eurocentrism and Multiculturalism, winner of the American Book Award. A scholar, theologian and activist, Dr. West brings a bold, passionate voice and unique perspectives to American's ongoing racial debate. The New York Times has said of his writing: "A compelling blend of philosophy, sociology and political commentary... One can only applaud the ferocious moral vision and astute intellect on display in these pages."

For further information, contact the Campus Events Coordinator at 410-778-7849.

College Presents "Black History is American History"

Chestertown, MD, January 3, 2001 — February is Black History Month and Washington College will celebrate with a program of speakers, performances and student activities emphasizing "Black History is American History." The public is invited to attend the following events:

Thursday, FEBRUARY 1, 2001

AFRICA PAST AND PRESENT: STORIES, SONGS AND SLIDES, a presentation by Professor Harriet Masembe. Originally from Uganda, Professor Masembe holds a Ph.D. in African Languages and Literature from the University of Wisconsin and has performed African folktales as a professional storyteller on television and radio, as well as for numerous schools, universities and associations. Goldstein Hall 100, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 7, 2001

BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Student presentations on famous African-American scientists and inventors. Goldstein Hall 100, 4:30 p.m.

Monday, FEBRUARY 12, 2001

The C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience presents HONOR'S VOICE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, a talk by eminent Lincoln biographer, Douglas Wilson, the George A. Lawrence Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at Knox College and the Co-Director of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. Casey Academic Center Forum, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, FEBRUARY 17, 2001

Kent Youth, Inc., the Kent County Arts Council, and Washington College present KAREN SOMERVILLE, gospel, blues and jazz vocalist. Gibson Performing Arts Center, Tawes Theatre, 8 p.m. Tickets $12/adults and $5/children 14 years and under. Tickets are available at Twigs and Teacups and the Compleat Bookseller. For more information, call Kent Youth, Inc. at 410-778-1370.

Monday, FEBRUARY 19, 2001

Dance on Film Series presents FALL RIVER LEGEND, TROY GAMES, THE BELOVED, and JOHN HENRY. Casey Academic Center Forum, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Dr. CORNEL WEST, Harvard Professor of Afro-American Studies and author of Race Matters and Beyond Eurocentrism and Multiculturalism (winner of the American Book Award), lectures on the subject of race in contemporary American politics, economy and culture. Tawes Theatre, 5:00 p.m.

All events are free unless otherwise noted.