Black History Month Keynote Speaker 

As part of Stetson University’s celebration of Black History Month, the Honorable Lubbie Harper, Jr., Supreme Court Justice, Connecticut, will speak at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Stetson Room, second floor of the Carlton Union Building, 131 E. Minnesota Ave., on the DeLand campus. The keynote address is entitled, “Social Justice – An Ongoing Search/A Never Ending Challenge.” The public is invited, free of charge.

The public is also invited to a luncheon with Harper, earlier the same day, Feb. 20, from 12:30-2 p.m., in the Faculty Lounge, on the first floor the CUB. The Decision on Legalized Marriage in Connecticut, will be the topic of discussion at the luncheon. Space is limited. To register for the luncheon, contact Yolany Gonell, assistant director, Intercultural Initiatives, at Stetson University’s Cross Cultural Center, at [email protected], or call (386) 822-7402. The lunch registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 8. The event is free and open to the public.

Harper is a member of the bars of the State of Connecticut, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He is currently the Chairman of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System as well as Connecticut’s Representative to the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts.

Harper also served as the Chairman of the Edwin Archer Randolph Diversity Award Committee, presented by the Lawyer’s Collaborative for Diversity, Inc., for 2007-2008. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Legal Studies Program at the University of New Haven. Harper is a former member of the Rules Committee of the Superior Court, a former participant in the Judicial Branch’s Mentor Program and a participant in the Judicial Branch’s Speakers Bureau Program. Harper is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Judges Association.

In addition to the lunch and evening lecture by Judge Harper on Feb. 20, the following is Stetson University’s schedule of events, all open to the public, to commemorate Black History Month.

February 2013 – Black History Month Schedule at Stetson University 

Tuesday, February 5:

4–5 p.m. – Southern History and Culture in the United States: Gullah-Geechee Culture

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center, Room 123, Lynn Business Center

David Pleasant is a multi-faceted percussion virtuoso, rhythm effects vocalist, avant-garde performance artist, storyteller and lecturer who specializes in African-American traditions.  This session will focus on Gullah/Geechee (Georgia and South Carolina Sea Island) culture, the preservation of tradition and history.

7–8:15 p.m. – David Pleasant’s RiddimAthon!®

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center, Stetson Room, CUB

RiddimAthon!® is a performance and teaching method developed from a synthesis of African, Caribbean and African American musical traditions. Using assorted drums, cymbals, tambourines and marimbas, as well as the body percussion rhythms of shout, juba, and jive, RiddimAthon!® aims to get everyone singing, dancing and clapping. This is event is free and open to the public.

 

Wednesday, February 6:

6–7:30 p.m. – Tuskegee Airmen: Unsung heroes of WWII

Sponsored by the Department of Teacher Education and the Cross-Cultural Center, Stetson Room, CUB 

Overview of the Tuskegee Airmen by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Oakland McCulloch, Senior Military Science Instructor, Dr. Patrick Coggins and honorable guest speakers from the American Legion Orange Baker Post “Post 187”. Followed by recognition of Marine WWII recipients of the United States Congressional Medal of Honor. Free refreshments will be provided.

 

Monday, February 11:

Noon–4 p.m. – Lunar New Year Celebration and International Festival

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center and WORLD International Education, Stetson Green

Lunar New Year celebration will include a fusion of musical performances, art demonstrations and food. Performances by the Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple, Inc will commence at 1:30 p.m.

 

Monday, February 11, 2013

6:30–8:30 p.m. – Filling the Gap: Forgotten chapter of American History Docudrama and Guest lecture by director, Tyrone Young

Sponsored by the Department of Teacher Education and the Cross-Cultural Center, Stetson Room, CUB 

Filling the Gap literally fills in relatively unknown pieces of significant historical information that renders honor and respect for many who fought the tyranny and oppressiveness of this period. Its portrayal of significant American politicians, abolitionists, artisans, craftsmen, and inventors during the “ante-bellum” period has been portrayed in an accurate and wonderful manner. Presentation of docudrama followed by Q&A with director Tyrone Young.

 

Tuesday, February 12:

5:30–7 p.m. – Love your Body Week: Dress for Success: Career Fashion Show

Sponsored by the Office of Career Development and Academic Advising, Stetson Room, CUB

Fun and creative way to explore professionalism in the work force and graduate school. Participants will learn tips on “what” and “what not” to wear during interviews and other professional opportunities.

 

Wednesday, February 13:

6–7:30 p.m. – A Pictorial History: African Americans in Volusia County

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center and The African American Museum of DeLand, Stetson Room, CUB

Pictorial history of Volusia County, facilitated by prominent Volusia County community members, will offer a rare glimpse of the African-American experience in DeLand and surrounding townships. Guest speakers will share personal photographic archive of rural life in the African-American community, including candid snapshots of school, church and work-life dating back to the early 1900s.

 

Thursday, February 14:

9 a.m.–4 p.m. – Love your Body Week: ONLY LOVE Project

Sponsored by Safe Zone and the Cross-Cultural Center, Cross-Cultural Center 

ONLY LOVE Project photo campaign is a Safe Zone initiative to create a safe and accepting campus. The purpose of the photo campaign is to raise awareness that there are allies who care about those that are struggling with sexual identity.   This event is free to the Stetson community. Participants are asked to wear white and can pose by themselves or in groups. For more information contact [email protected] or visit onlyloveproject.tk

 

Tuesday, February 19:

10–11:15 a.m. – The Color ME Brown Project: Conversations with Unmuted Voices

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center, Safe Zone and Stetson University’s Gender Studies Program                                                Rinker Auditorium Room 108, Lynn Business Center

Directed by young college LGBTQIA activist Nicole Townsend, Conversations with Unmuted Voices is a documentary primarily focusing on the Black & Latino communities and explores the complexities that each person experiences as they navigate their communities. The purpose is to expose issues around race, class, gender and sexuality that are muted in order to break down racism, homophobia and discrimination.

7–8:30 p.m. – BLACK PRIDE: Negotiating triple minority status

Sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Center, Safe Zone and Kaleidoscope, Stetson Room, CUB

A “fishbowl” look into the ways Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Questioning individuals address the complexities of race, gender, gender expression, and social pressures as they shift identities to “survive,” “pass” and “succeed.” Candid conversations followed by Q&A from the audience. Refreshments will be provided.

 

Wednesday, February 20:

Black History Month Keynote Speaker: Honorable Lubbie Harper, JR, Supreme Court Justice, Connecticut

12:30–2 p.m. – Luncheon discussion: Decision on Legalized Marriage in Connecticut, Faculty Lounge, CUB

Hon. Lubbie Harper, Jr., Connecticut Supreme Court Justice (ret) will discuss the ruling of Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health – which resulted in the legalization of same-sex marriage in October 10, 2008.  Spaces are limited. For more information to register for the luncheon please contact [email protected]. Deadline for luncheon registration is Friday, February 8, 2013. This event is free and open to the public.

7–8 p.m. – Keynote address:  Social Justice-An Ongoing Search-A Never Ending Challenge                                    Stetson Room, CUB 

Justice Harper’s keynote address will focus on the ongoing struggle and the never-ending challenge for people of color to achieve justice and equality in America.

 

Thursday, February 21:

4:30–6 p.m. – Book Feast: Arrested Justice: Black women, violence, and America’s prison nation, by Beth Richie

Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Council, Africana Studies and the Cross-Cultural Center, Cross- Cultural Center

Arrested Justice brings issues of sexuality, class, age, and criminalization into focus right alongside of questions of public policy and gender violence, resulting in a compelling critique, a passionate re-framing of stories, and a call to action for change.  Book feast led by Dr. Pepper Bates. Free refreshments will be provided. For more information about where to pick up a free copy of the book please contact [email protected].

For more information on Stetson University’s schedule for Black History Month, contact Yolany Gonell, assistant director, Intercultural Initiatives, at Stetson University’s Cross Cultural Center, at [email protected], or call (386) 822-7402.