Celebration of Black History Month includes lectures, music and 'taste of soul'

The celebration of Black History Month at Grand Valley State University includes numerous lectures, musical events, films and a "Taste of Soul."

Events will begin February 1 with a lecture connected to the university’s community reading book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." Author Harriet Washington will discuss the book at 6 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room.

Other events are below; they are all free and open to the public. Details are online at www.gvsu.edu/oma or call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at x12177.

• "Incognito," a presentation by Michael Fosberg; February 3, 4-6 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center. Fosberg began a personal search for his biological father at age 34 that revealed more than family. His presentation will balance humor and emotion as it deals with race, prejudice and life's difficult choices.

• Music: "When the Spirit Gets You," by jazz quintet John Hair and the New Connections; February 11, 7-9 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids.

• Noontime Movie Series; 1240 Kirkhof Center. Reservations required, call x12177. The following films will be shown and discussed from noon-1 p.m.
February 14: "Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy"; February 15: "Citizen King"; February 16: "Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed"; February 17: "The Neo African-Americans."

• A Taste of Soul, February 18, noon–1 p.m., Kirkhof Center lobby. Samples from the deep southern, African American tradition of soul food will be available.

• Diversity Brown Bag: "Living History, He Was There"; February 24, noon–1 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2215-2216. William G. Anderson, founder of the Albany Movement, will detail his role in the civil rights movement as he worked with Martin Luther King in the first mass movement to desegregate an entire community.

• A View of the Past and the Hope of the Future; February 24, 7-9 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center. William G. Anderson, founder of the Albany Movement, will discuss what makes Black history unique in America.

Black History Month events are sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Community and Public Service, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Inclusion & Equity, Kutsche Office of Local History, LGBT Resource Center, Padnos International Center, Seidman College of Business, WGVU and Women's Center.