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Black History Month events scheduled at UW-Madison

February 3, 2004

A number of events that celebrate Black History Month are scheduled on the UW–Madison campus during February. Most events are free and open to the public. They include:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4

DREAM ALIVE PROGRAM: Joe Rogers, former lieutenant governor of Colorado, will deliver his Dream Alive program, a live commentary dedicated to the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and leaders of the civil rights movement. According to its Web site, the program is “an effort to help increase the understanding of the enormous contributions that King and movement leaders imparted to the nation and a reminder that their wisdom and vision are timeless.” Rogers served as America’s youngest lieutenant governor and was only the fourth African American in U.S. history elected to a state’s second highest post. His term ended in January 2003, and he is now a practicing attorney in Colorado. His talk begins at 7:30 p.m. in the State Historical Society auditorium, 816 State St.

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, FEB. 4-6

DESEGREGATION ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE: The 50-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education will be marked by a conference sponsored by the UW–Madison departments of Educational Policy Studies and Curriculum and Instruction. The conference is free and open to the public.

  • On Feb. 4, Gary Orfield, Harvard University professor of education and social policy, will present a lecture titled “From Brown to Now: What We Learned, What We Gained and Why We are Losing It, the Lessons of Multiracial America” at 7 p.m. in 2120 Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave.
  • On Feb. 5, Charles V. Willie, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, will lecture on “Brown v. Board of Education: A Restoration of Equity in Public Education” at 7 p.m. in 2120 Grainger Hall.
  • On Feb. 6, the conference will conclude with a brown-bag lunch and a discussion with the speakers at noon in Union South, 227 N. Randall. The room number will be posted at the entrances.

There will also be a number of panel discussions during the conference’s final two days in 4151 Grainger Hall. A complete schedule of events is posted online. For more information, contact Gail Geib at (608) 265-5956 or ggeib@education.wisc.edu.

THURSDAY, FEB. 5

ULITMATE AFRICAN-AMERICAN JEOPARDY: The classic television game show takes a new twist as players test their knowledge of black history. The event, being held at 6:30 p.m. in 1610 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, will include a host and sound effects. For more information, e-mail organizers at wbess@cae.wisc.edu.

TUESDAY, FEB. 10

DISCOVERING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Members of the university community and the general public are invited to a program titled “Discovering Black History Month: Exploring the Past, Living the Present, Knowing the Future,” presented by the Wisconsin Black Student Union Executive Board at 5 p.m. in Multicultural Student Center Lounge, located in the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Black Student Union at (608) 262-5131.

THURSDAY, FEB. 12

BLACK MUSIC ENSEMBLE: The UW–Madison School of Music offers a performance by the Black Music Ensemble, which is directed by Richard Davis. The free performance is at 6:30 p.m. in Morphy Hall, located in the Mosse Humanities Building, 455 N. Park St.

TUESDAY, FEB. 17

SLAVERY AND HEALTH: The UW–Madison Center for Women’s Health Research is sponsoring a women’s health forum titled “Black Women’s Health During Slavery.” The speaker will be Denise Carty, minority health officer with the Division of Public Health of the state Department of Health and Family Services. The forum is 8-9 a.m. in the Meriter Hospital Atrium, located on the second floor at 202 S. Park St. The event is free and open to the public. Organizers ask that attendees register by contacting Judee Bell at (608) 267-5566 or judeebell@wisc.edu.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 20-22

STATEWIDE BLACK STUDENT UNION CONFERENCE: This conference at Union South, 227 N. Randall, includes a job fair, workshops, live entertainment and a Black History Month program. The keynote address will be given by author and UW–Madison alumnus Alexander Gee on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Black Student Union at (608) 262-5131.