All Department News & Campus Events
Department News
NOMMO African American Author Series
On Wednesday, November 11, the NOMMO African American Author Series begins its 2009-2010 season. Professor Alexs Pate hosts Ishmael Reed at 7:00 PM in the Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Ishmael Reed is a poet, publisher, editor, and author of 25 books, including Conjure, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
November 4th, 2009November 4 "coffee hour" presentation
On Wednesday, November 4, Ann Dillard will present "Friends of Senegal" from 2:30-4:00 in the Geneva H. Southall Library (Social Sciences Tower 815). [Presentation Abstract]
October 30th, 2009"For Colored Girls..." play
The U of M's Nolte Xperimental Theatre presents Ntozake Shange's 1975 stageplay For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf October 29 - November 1. This choreopoem features seven different women, nameless, each known by a different color. Stories of love, abandonment, rape, domestic violence, strength, independence, and healing are shared with the audience. October 29-Ocrtober 31 performances are held at 7:00 pm; the November 1 perfromance is at 2:00 pm. For reservations call 612.625.1876 or email thex@umn.edu.
October 26th, 200940th Anniversary exhibit
In 1969 the University of Minnesota established the African American and American Indian Studies Departments, the second and first such departments respectively to be founded in the United States. To celebrate the anniversary of this historic event the University Libraries system has put together a display of archival materials commemorating 40 years of history. An opening reception will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 4:00-6:00 p.m. in 120 Andersen Library. For more information see the Libraries 40th Anniversary exhibit event.
October 14th, 2009Social Justice Film Festival
Housing & Residential Life, the Social Justice Leadership Retreat, the Office of Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and the Institute on Community Integration are hosting a Social Justice Film Festival on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM until 5 PM in the Tate Physics Building. Twelve different films will be shown during the Festival with four being shown at each start time of 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Folks are welcome to come for just one film or watch three throughout the day.
Most of the films are near one hour in length and all of the films will be followed by one hour of discussion facilitated by the office sponsoring the film.
To see a list of the films that includes a short description, please check out the following website: www.housing.umn.edu/filmfestival/
October 13th, 2009Ada Comstock lecture presented by Prof. Brewer
Professor Rose Brewer will present the Fall 2009 Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture at 4:00 PM on November 5, 2009. "Colorblind, Postracial, or Not? Exploring Race in the Obama Era" is the topic for the event in the Cowles Auditorium of the Hubert H. Humphrey Center. Professor Brewer will share the results of her research and invite us all to become involved or re-involved as progressive social activists. The Ada Comstock award honors a University of Minnesota woman faculty member's exceptional research, scholarship, teaching, and leadership contributions via a public lecture. For more information about the Ada Comstock award visit the University of Minnesota Women's Center.
October 2nd, 2009"The Power of Film" symposium
Award-winning documentarian, writer, and producer Llew Smith addresses issues of equity, race, and social consciousness in films such as Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? He is featured in the St. Catherine University Diversity Council's film symposium, "The Power of Film: An Agent for Social Equity and Social Justice," October 5-7 in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
September 25th, 2009Community Arts job opportunity
The Mixed Blood Theatre seeks three Community Liaisons to the Somali community of the zip code 55454.
Mixed Blood's new "55454 Series" is aimed at bringing together the community of Cedar-Riverside through shared artistic experiences created and nurtured in its exceptionally rich zip code of 55454. For the first year of the Series, Mixed Blood seeks three Community Liaisons to coordinate the presentation of events highlighting the breadth of Somali arts in the neighborhood, as well as promote three plays staged by Mixed Blood with Muslim and African themes, characters, and content that will be offered free of charge to anyone who lives in 55454. Liaisons can expect about 100 hours of work between October and June. There is a modest stipend offered to each of the three Liaisons.
SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bilingual in spoken English and Somali (bilingual written fluency preferred)
• Superior networking skills, with established connections to the Somali community
• Comfortable with concepts and duties relating to event publicity
• Outgoing personality, strong work ethic, independent and collaborative worker
• Passion for the arts and strengthening the Cedar-Riverside communityElders, women, foreign-born individuals, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please submit application materials by Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Interviews will be the following week. Work begins the second week of October 2009 through mid-May 2010.
TO APPLY: Please contact Scott Artley, 55454 Series Coordinator, with a message that describes your background and interest in the position, what skills you can offer (based on the above skills/qualifications), and full contact information. Include a resume, if available.
To apply by email: scott@mixedblood.com
To apply by phone: 612-338-0984 (please leave a voice message)
To apply by mail: Mixed Blood Theatre, c/o Community Liaison Search, 1501 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454
September 25th, 2009Poetry Reading by Niyi Osundare
The University of Minnesota's Global Spotlight Initiative is hosting a poetry reading by award-winning Nigerian poet and human rights activist Niyi Osundare on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the University International Center, Room 101. Niyi Osundare is a prolific poet, dramatist, essayist and literary critic. He has received numerous awards for his poetry, including the Commonwealth Literary Prize and the Noma Award, as well as the Fonlon/Nichols award for "excellence in literary creativity combined with significant contributions to Human Rights in Africa." Following the reading there will be a reception for Twin Cities Africanists.
September 22nd, 2009BGAPSA Kick-Off BBQ
The Black Graduate and Professional Students Association (BGAPSA) presents the BGAPSA Welcome Back Kick-Off BBQ. Join BGAPSA for a chance to meet the members of the 2009-2010 Black Graduate and Professional Students Association board, students across the university, faculty, as well as folks from community organizations.
Come meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy FREE FOOD! DJ Mixwell will also be spinning hip-hop, funk, and soul at the event. Friends, family, and allies are welcome as well.
DATE: Friday, September 25, 2009
September 21st, 2009
TIME: 4:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
LOCATION: University of Minnesota Riverbend Plaza (behind Coffman Union).Fourth Fridays at the Movies
"Fourth Fridays at the Movies" is a screening and discussion of vintage movies featuring African Americans as actors, producers, and/or directors. This month's movie (September 25) is Big Fella, featuring Paul Robeson. The event is held at the Golden Thyme Coffee & Café in St. Paul. A social moment is held from 6:30-7:00; the film begins at 7:00. For information on Fourth Fridays at the Movies, call Golden Thyme at (651) 645-1340.
September 21st, 2009Twin Cities Black Film Festival
The Twin Cities Black Film Festival provides an opportunity for independent filmmakers of color to have their works showcased before the community, and also serves as an avenue of discovery for industry professionals seeking new talent. The 2009 festival will be held on September 18-20.
September 17th, 2009social networking
The department now has a social networking presence. Fan us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter!
September 14th, 2009"Being Branded" cultural education concert
On September 17 and 18 the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce will bring to the Twin Cities a cultural education concert, "Being Branded," to generate awareness around the branding that minorities have had in their past and to stimulate individuals to move beyond those stereotypes. The cultural and education concert is a contemporary fusion of two art forms (modern dance and figure skating) allowing for movement explorations to take place on the ice where traditionally performed jumps and spins adopt an entirely new contextual significance. The concert's purpose is to inspire the audience to witness and feel something they have never seen or experienced before: stories and complexities of racial and cultural identity being told on the ice by national and international competitive performers of color.
A free performance is offered to high school and college students:
September 17 at the University of Minnesota's Ridder Ice Arena, 1901 4th St., SE Minneapolis, MN 55455. Performance and Post-concert Discussion: 9:30 a.m. - noon.
Contact Ashley Blocton at 651-777-9119 to register for the free concert. For additional info visit www.mbccculturaleventg.eventbrite.com/
August 20th, 2009Summer 2009 issue of "The Village"
The latest issue of The Village is now available. The Village is a newsletter for friends and alumni of the Department of African American & African Studies.
Inside the
July 30th, 2009Summer 2009 issue: - welcome from the community outreach coordinator
- faculty spotlight
- your thoughts: Gates arrested
- opening doors in North Minneapolis
- course spotlight
- building a better Tomorrow
- upcoming events
- quote of the month
- welcome from the community outreach coordinator