Numerous events to celebrate Black History Month

Events planned to celebrate Black History Month at Grand Valley State University encompass many aspects of culture, in addition to topical lectures and panel discussions on education, religion and the criminal justice system.

All the events listed below are free and open to the public. Two will be held at the DeVos Center, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. For more information, call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at (616) 331-2177.

• February 5, 7-9 p.m., Laker Village North Community Center: African American Music and Dance. Local dance instructors Durwin and LaShawn Johnson will teach techniques for urban ballroom and other forms of dance.

• February 10, 6-9 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center: Panel Discussion: "The State of Our Children's Education: Past, Present and Future." Among the scheduled panelists are Bernard Taylor, superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools; Walter Brame, president and CEO of Grand Rapids Urban League; and Ingrid Scott-Weekley, director of the Equal Opportunity Department for City of Grand Rapids.

• February 13, 6-9 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center: "Black Music, Black Power! Jazz and the Civil Rights Revolution." A presentation on the history by jazz and its relationship to the civil rights movement will be given by Craig Benjamin, Grand Valley assistant professor of history. The Elgin Vines Quartet will perform.

• February 18, 4-6 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2263: "The Black Church After Obama." Randal Jelks, associate professor of American studies at University of Kansas and former Calvin College professor, will discuss African American religious history and the impact President Obama on the church.

• February 19, 6-8 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2270: "Light Skin vs. Dark Skin." Demarra Gardner will discuss the historical aspects of light-skin people and dark-skin people.

• February 26, 6-8 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2204: "From the Cradle to the Prison." Ron Browder, director of the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio, will address CDF's campaign to stop youth from leading a lifestyle that will land them in jails and prisons.

• February 3, 10, 17, 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 1240: "Black/White" film series. Join OMA staff members each week as they view and discuss the film series in which Caucasian and African American families live together and trade races.

A number of Grand Valley departments are helping sponsor Black History Month events including Campus Ministry, Career Services, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, History, Honors College, Housing, Padnos International Center and Pew Student Services.