SOUTHEAST TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Southeast Missouri State University will observe National Black History Month with a variety of activities designed to preserve the culture of African Americans.

"February is National Black History Month, a time to recognize outstanding African-American men and women, and their contributions in building America," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton, coordinator of National Black History Month activities and assistant director of Southeast's Campus Assistance Center.

"This national observance depicts the efforts this country has made to preserve its many cultures."

The observance will begin with the film, "Menace II Society," part of the Black History Month Film Festival sponsored by the Student Activities Council and Student Government.

Showings on Feb. 3 will be at 7 and 9 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. The cost is $1 for students and $2 for non-university students.

Awards will be presented Feb. 4 to area elementary school students who participated and were named winners in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest. The contest was sponsored by the Campus Assistance Center.

A "Black Professional Persons' Seminar," sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 in the University Center Program Lounge.

Guest speakers from the campus and the surrounding community will provide information on career and educational choices for African Americans.

An "Adopt a Family Fund," a fundraiser sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 in the University Center lobby. The funds will be contributed to a local economically disadvantaged family.

The play, "A Woman Called Truth," presented by the Coterie Theatre of Kansas City, will be presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 in Academic Auditorium. The play depicts the life of Sojourner Truth, an important woman often forgotten in history books.

A "Salute to African Americans" will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the University Center. An array of display tables will highlight famous African American leaders, inventions, and other contributions.

The event is being sponsored by the Campus Assistance Center and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

"The Changing Faces of Africana Women," a lecture by Barbara Woods, director of the African American Studies Institute at St. Louis University, will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 10 in the University Center Missouriana Room.

The presentation will focus on the current socio-economic issues and cultural challenges facing Africana women and girls.

The discussion will examine their impact on the family and community, and recommendations for action will be offered.

This event is being sponsored by the Southeast Department of Philosophy.

"What's Love Got to Do with It," the second of three films in the Black History Month Film Festival, will be shown at 7 and 9 p.m. Feb. 17 in the University Center Ballroom.

The cost is $1 for university students and $2 for non-university students.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will sponsor a Founder's Day Luncheon with the theme of "Celebrating Our Heritage" at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Holiday Inn.

The sorority also will sponsor "History Makers: Salute to African-American Women," from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in the University Center Lobby.

"Race Relations: A Community Dialogue," sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the University Center Program Lounge. A host of university faculty, staff, and students will discuss race relations on the Southeast campus.

"Malcolm X," the last film in the Black History Month Film Festival, will be shown 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in the University Center Ballroom. Cost is $1 for university students and $2 for non-university students.

Capping the month-long activities will be "Challenges Facing African American Students Today on the Campus of Southeast Missouri State University: A Community Dialogue."

The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the University Center Ballroom. Members of the university community will come together to discuss ways to enhance the success of African-American students on a predominantly white college campus.

This event is being sponsored by the Campus Assistance Center and the Association of Black Collegians.

All Black History Month activities are open to the public. For more information, contact (314) 651-2273.