Black Studies Program
Black Aspirations Calendar
Celebration
April 16 – April 21, 2007
THE 34th ANNUAL
BLACK ASPIRATIONS CELEBRATION
U J I M A !
To build and maintain our community together and make
our All events are Free and Open to
the public |
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| What is Black Aspirations? | ||
Black Aspirations brings together contemporary social, political, and economic issues. All are welcome to learn and participate as we identify, examine, analyze, and reflect upon responsible actions for the growth and development of the African American community, while celebrating our unique blend of cultural arts and entertainment. |
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| Black Aspirations Celebration Committee | ||
Elmer Buford |
Donna Whyte, Ph.D. |
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| Black Studies Program Staff | ||
Michael R Williams, Ph.D., Director Prester Pickett, MFA , Coordinator |
Patricia Washington, Secretary |
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The 34 th Annual Black Aspirations Week Highlights |
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Keynote Speakers Location and Time for all Speakers is 1pm in UC 1 with the exception of Kunta Kenyatta. Kunta Kenyatta will speak at 6pm in UC1.
Monday, April 16, 2007 Mr. William E. Boswell is the author of the 2006 book entitled: “Success by Instinct: Use What Animals Already Know to Boost Your Career”. Mr. Boswell used his life and professional work experiences to write a book designed to assist individuals in achieving a successful work and personal life. Mr. Boswell packaged his insights around the behaviors of various animals to demonstrate the principles of success. Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Mukasa Dada (Willie Ricks) is one of the greatest of all Pan-African activists produced by the 1960’s. His activism has carried all over the United States and throughout the African world. He works tirelessly towards to goal of achieving African liberation from the forces of racism, exploitation and oppression. Mukasa Dada has been involved in the struggle for African liberation since the tender age of seventeen. He was the hero of his first Chattanooga, Tennessee NAACP sit-in. His life was threatened as well as the lives of his family members. Dada was a key early organizer and participant in the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He build a long-term working relationship with Martin Luther King, Jr. He served as the field secretary for SNCC. He organized and coordinated countless sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. He also played a pivotal role in organizing Black/African Student Unions cross the nation. Dada was heavily involved in the formation of the Lowndes County Freedom Organization. This Alabama based organization would later be known as the “Black Panther Party”. It was from this group that the Black Panther Party would adopt its famous black panther symbol. In recent years Dada has continued his liberation struggles. He is still organizing individuals across the country and the world. He stresses the responsibility and need for students to get involved. Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Kunta Kenyatta is the author of the book: “Life after Life: A Successful Return to Society”. Kunta Kenyatta has a unique story to tell. Kenyatta spent over 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Convicted at a young age, Kenyatta learned the difficult realities of prison life and the failures of the justice system. Kunta Kenyatta is an active member of the Lucasville Five Defense Committee. He has dedicated his life to ending Ohio’s Death Penalty. Kenyatta’s experiences convinced him how easily one can be wrongly convicted and placed on Death Row. A number of innocent individuals have been sent to deaths due to a failure in the criminal justice system. Kenyatta is determined to eliminate this possibility by fighting for the end of Ohio’s death penalty. Kenyatta’s story is inspirational, tragic and instructional. Despite being placed in Ohio’s toughest prisons he refused to allow his Spirit to be broken. He refused to become bitter. He used his negative experience to fuel his positive resolve to make a difference. Thursday, April 19, 2007 Ms. Stephanie Harbin is one of the nation’s most dynamic motivational and career planning speakers. Ms. Harbin has used her life and personal experiences to develop a view of life that allows individuals to recognize their assets and reduce their liabilities. She empowers individuals to take charge of the decision making process of their lives. Ms. Harbin blends a pleasant presentation style, with knowledge and wisdom to allow individuals to see their potential. She then provides practical steps for turning potential into reality. She shows individuals how to use what they got to get what they want. Ms. Harbin is the owner of the Harbin Group. Her company provides motivational training and seminars to businesses throughout the country. She is highly sought after due to the firm, but pleasant way she delivers her powerful message. Friday, April 20, 2007 Dr. Muhammad Ahmad is the author of the newly released book: “We Will Return In The Whirlwind: Black Radical Organizations 1960-1975”. Ahmad is one the premier African American social activist. Ahmad served as the national field chairman of the Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM) during the 1960’s. He founded the African People’s Party in the 1970’s. He has worked closely with Malcolm X, Jesse Gray, Amiri Baraka, Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael), James, and Grace Boggs, James Forman, Robert and Mabel Williams, Queen Mother Moore and other countless others in the struggle for Black Liberation. Dr. Ahmad drawing upon his extensive network of personal and political contacts and his unique understanding of the connections between persons, organizations and events has made a significant contribution towards deepening our understanding of a period of whose complexities might otherwise be lost to future generations. Ahmad continues to be active in the pursuit for African liberation. He helped organize the Third National Black Power Conference. He is a member of N/COBRA. Dr. Ahmad is a teacher and scholar in the Department of African American Studies at Temple University. The 34 th Black Aspirations Week Monday, April 16, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
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Cleveland State University
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Black Studies Program
2121 Euclid Avenue, MC 137
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Main Classroom Plaza 137
1899 E. 22nd Street
Phone: 216.687.3655
Fax: 216.687.5446