AA&AS chair's blog http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/ Information and commentary from the chair of the University of Minnesota's Department of African American and African Studies. en Copyright 2009 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:55:44 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss African Student Association Red Spots series During the month of November the African Student Association will host "Red Spots," a series of events designed to raise awareness about important issues taking place on the continent of Africa.

Fall Soccer Tournament.
Friday, November 13, 6-9pm in the Field House of the University Recreation Center (1906 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455). Proceeds of the tournament will go to Students Against Hunger.

Presentation by Oromia Student Union & Eritrean Student Association.
Wednesday, November 18, 5pm in Coffman Union room 201. OSU & ERISA will give presentations on their history and culture, and look at controversial issues affecting their peoples.

Invisible Children screening of Together We Are Free.
Wednesday, November 18, 7pm at the Oak Street Cinema (309 Oak St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455). Together We Are Free is a documentary that follows youth around the world as they call attention to the situation of child soldiers in East Africa. A panel discussion follows the screening. This event is free.

Screening of the documentary Africa Open for Business.
Tuesday, November 24, 5pm in Coffman Union room 201. "Imagine an Africa with entrepreneurial spirit that is striving to take care of itself and finding African solutions to African problems."

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/11/asa_red_spots_series.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/11/asa_red_spots_series.html university info Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:55:44 -0600 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/11/nommo_african_american_authors_2.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/11/nommo_african_american_authors_2.html university info Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:15:36 -0600 November 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]

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/november_4_coffee_hour_present.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/november_4_coffee_hour_present.html departmental meetings and events Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:10:09 -0600 "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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/for_colored_girls_play.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/for_colored_girls_play.html university info Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:41:20 -0600 40th 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/40th_anniversary_exhibit.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/40th_anniversary_exhibit.html university info Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:10:19 -0600 Social 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/

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/social_justice_film_festival.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/social_justice_film_festival.html university info Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:27:50 -0600 Ada 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/ada_comstock_lecture.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/10/ada_comstock_lecture.html department info Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:27:14 -0600 "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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/the_power_of_film_symposium.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/the_power_of_film_symposium.html in the community Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:21:42 -0600 Community 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 community

Elders, 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

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/community_arts_job_opportunity.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/community_arts_job_opportunity.html in the community Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:57:18 -0600 Poetry 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/poetry_reading_by_niyi_osundar.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/poetry_reading_by_niyi_osundar.html university info Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:11:31 -0600 BGAPSA 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
TIME: 4:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
LOCATION: University of Minnesota Riverbend Plaza (behind Coffman Union).

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/bgapsa_kick-off_bbq.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/bgapsa_kick-off_bbq.html university info Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:05:32 -0600 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/fourth_fridays_at_the_movies.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/fourth_fridays_at_the_movies.html in the community Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:25:00 -0600 Twin 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/twin_cities_black_film_festiva_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/twin_cities_black_film_festiva_1.html in the community Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:41:52 -0600 social networking The department now has a social networking presence. Fan us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/social_networking.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/09/social_networking.html department info Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:26:06 -0600 "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/

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/08/being_branded_cultural_educati.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/afrochair/2009/08/being_branded_cultural_educati.html other Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:48:06 -0600