The Howard A. Mims
African American Cultural Center

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Photo by William Rieter of Dr. Nair at the poduium next to an enlarged photo of Dr. King on loan from the Western Reserve Historical Society presenting his keynote address

Photo by William Rieter of
brass section of the band
from Early College

Dr. Murali Nair was introduced to the community on Thursday, January 20, 2005 by Dr. Maggie Jackson, Chair of the Department of Social Work. He presented the keynote address for the annual CSU campus-wide Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration sponsored by the Black Studies Program. He brought words of wisdom related to Dr. King's acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” Dr. Nair closed with the words "Om santhi santhi santhihe," which is interpreted to mean "Let us bring Peace, Peace, Peace to us and to the world."

This MLK Celebration included a traditional tribute by the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Pi Chapter); a welcome by Dr. William Shorrock, Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs; and closing remarks by Dr. Michael Williams. A special musical tribute was provided by the band from Early College, a Cleveland Municipal School.

Photo by Prester Pickett of the showcase in the Cultural Center featuring books on loan from the CSU Law Library

Photo by Prester Pickett of Joan Southgate introducing herself in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center

Joan Southgate, co-author of the book "In Their Path, which details her walk as grandmother through a route of the Underground Railroad from Cincinnati to Cleveland and then Canada, introduced herself to a room full of students, faculty and staff, who were preparing to board the Lakefront Lines bus and route to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. During the excursion to Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Regennia Williams of the History Department and Joan Southgate presented lectures, which were accompanied by screenings of various historical documentaries and "edutainment" videos during the five hour trip.

A collection of books from the CSU Book Store, which featured both Dr. Deborah Plummer's book Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations Through Friendship and Dr. Regennia Williams' book Cleveland, Ohio (Black America Series) as well as a full collection of children's books were showcased in the University Center Atrium on Wednesday, February 5, 2005 as part of the In Black And White Celebration. Special guests to this event included students and teachers from the Imani Leadership Institute. These students participated in a workshop in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, where they developed titles and covers for a prospective book that they would write in the future.

Dr. Karen Sotiropoulos, author of the frothcoming book Staging Race: Black Performers in Turn of the Century America (Harvard University Press) and Professor in the CSU History Department, presented a Curtis Wilson Colloquium Series Lecture, "From Ragtime to Hip Hop," in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center on Friday, February 11, at 12:00 Noon. Her presentation attracted scholars and students from various departments at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University.

This presentation preceded the evening celebration, "C-Town" Rocks the World, where various local musicians were celebrated for having international appeal and supporting the Center. These musicians were recognized as cultural ambassadors by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubb's Jones, State Representative Lance Mason, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners, and Mayor Jane Campbell.

The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen holding their monthly meeting in the African American Cultural Center with a special presentation by Roger F. Cram, who highlights their accomplishments on the
Hiram College website (www.hiram.edu/tuskegeeairmen)

The Black Studies Ambassadors Sanchez Starks and Patrick Tatham hosted a group of students participating in the Tomorrow's Scientists Technicians and Managers Program from Peoria, Illinois. This group of forty-five students and five chaperones were welcomed to Cleveland State University in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center's Frank Adams Room, where they received a lesson from our Wall of Fame. This wall is dedicated to Cleveland's Black History and legendary figures like Jessie Owens, Langston Hughes, Garrett Morgan, Dorothy Dandridge, Carl Stokes, Louis Stokes, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Councilwoman Fannie Lewis, Larry Doby, Bill Willis, and Halle Berry.

They then joined other programs like the End Zone Club of Middletown, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio as well as Cleveland's own B.R.I.C.K. Program, which were participating in the Jammin' for Education Forum, co-sponsored by the CSU Department of Student Life, Black Student Union, Ohio Classic, Office of Minority Affairs and Community Relations, Career Services, Admissions, University Studies, and the Black Studies Program as part of the Black Aspirations "Nia" Celebration 2005. The program included a series of speakers. Greg Lusk, founder and C.E.O. of the REST Group, which is a Real Estate and Stocks Investment Company, shared how he aspired to make his company a multi-million dollar business that grosses over $500,000 per month. As part of his philanthropic quest at CSU, he gave a $100 bill to the first student in the audience who could explain that an "entrepreneur" is person who takes risks.

Charles B. Schooler was another speaker who talked about his experiences, which inspired him to write the book "More Than Entertainers." The other side of the story was then presented by a panel of entertainers, who joined Kim Whitley, actress and comedian. This panel of celebrities like Kevin Hart, J-Boogey, Dennis Northcut, T-Waters, Russ Parr, Tamala Jones, M.C. Lyte, and Laman Rucker all emphasized the importance of education and promoted the idea of attending a college or university to acquire a higher education.

Afterwards, the Black Studies Ambassadors escorted the TSTM Program from the Auditorium to the UC Atrium, where they experienced a college fair. They then received a brief tour of Cleveland by way of Euclid Avenue and Lee Road, which culminated with a shopping spree and lunch at Randall Park Mall and adventurous times at the IX Indoor Amusement Park. They reported having an excellent experience in Cleveland and looked forward to sharing the information and inspiration that they received at CSU upon their return to Peoria, Illinois.

Dr. Elaine Richardson delivered the opening lecture for the Black Aspirations Celebration 2005 in University Center Auditorium on Monday, April 18, 2005 at 12:00 Noon. Her topic was "Finding My Purpose: Girls From Da Hood and Literacy Education," which fit neatly into the theme, Nia/Purpose, for the week. She acknowledged her appreciation for the late Dr. Howard A. Mims as well as current CSU faculty and staff members including Dr. Sanza Clark, Mr. Louis Brownlowe, Dr. Ted Lardner, and others who assisted her with developing the skills and confidence needed to achieve the status as a tenured faulty member at Penn State (University Park Campus) as well as a Fullbright Scholar and author of two texts in the field of Black Studies. She also highlighted the role that Professor of Social Work Dr. Andrew Edwards played by having a program in place that literally rescued her from the streets.

The standing ovation that she received for her lecture, which concluded with her acappella presentation of motivational lyrics by Yolanda Adams was followed by a question and answer period. This program at noon motivated the CSU community and extended inspiration to guests from Cuyahoga Community College and the Imani Leadership Institute. The audience instantly agreed that she is the ideal speaker and vocalist, who is highly encouraged to secure a platform at Cleveland State University time and time again.

Her presentation was timely and gave a perfect start to a week-long celebration which will feature other CSU alumni like Dr. Deforia Lane of University Hospitals of Cleveland and Black Studies scholars and artists like Dr. Adam Banks, Stan Gordon and Spoken Word Artist Anthony "Da Boogieman" Rucker. This legacy of calling on the products of the CSU Black Studies Program during Black Aspirations Week was recognized by Dr. Diane Dillard, Dean of Student Life, as a component of the celebration that deserved to be applauded.

Amir Rashidd presented African folklore in the Coleman Gallery, where his folk art which he calls "Inner City Hieroglyphics," on Tuesday April 19, 2005, at Noon as part of the Black Apirations "Nia" 2005 Celebration. His audience includes Hashim El-Ra-Mun, who afterwards presented his lecture, "Remaining Human in an Impersonal World."

Stan Gordon, CSU Alumnus, joined Dr. Adam Banks, CSU Alumnus, in a joint presentation, "Life, Love, Liberation: Maintaining Purpose in the Midst of Madness," as part of the Black Aspirations "Nia" Celebration 2005 on Friday, April 22, 2005 at Noon in the Howard A. Mims' Wanda Coleman Room.

They talked about the various struggles that they faced at CSU as well as the faculty, staff, and student support that helped them achieve success. Dr. Banks gave strong recommendations for connecting the campus into the Black community with sincere efforts.

Their lecture/presentation connected into a "Black In The Day Celebration," where alumni slowly answered Pat "Ma" Washington's call for her "children" to join her for a reunion. This event attracted close to forty alumni who were nurtured by the Black Studies Program and the African American Cultural Center. They celebrated with both culinary arts and music from the Hue People.

Administrators like Dr. Njeri Nuru-Holm, Louis Brownlowe, Dr. Michael Williams and faculty/staff like Dr. Adrienne Gosselin, Dr. Donna Whyte, Yolanda Burt, Sereta Archer, Dr. Melodie Yates, Prester Pickett and others greeted the alumni and introduced them to a new crop of students following in their footsteps.

The finale included music in front of the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center provided by Eric Johnson, President of the CSU Black Alumni Association. He also stepped with a line of his brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorportated in front of the Center only to be reminded that the Men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated were represented in addition to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Prince Hall and the Sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Solemn moments came with the words of wisdom from Dr. Michael Williams, Pat "Ma" Washington, and Eric Johnson, who had the names of CSU family members who had passed away. More fellowship and the collection of funds for the Curtis Wilson and Wanda Coleman Scholarships followed with pledges to make next year's Black Aspirations "Black in the Day" Celebration even larger.