History expert to discuss Underground Railroad in Michigan

The stories of a secret network in Michigan that assisted people in slavery will close Black History Month events at Grand Valley.

Veta Tucker, associate professor of English at Grand Valley, will give a presentation, “Freedom, Slavery and the Underground Railroad in Michigan” on February 27 and 28. She will discuss the small, but dedicated group of Michigan settlers who also helped those escaping slavery in the South find freedom.

Freedom, Slavery and the Underground Railroad in Michigan:
Pew Grand Rapids Campus: Wednesday, February 27, 4:30-6 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center
Allendale Campus: Thursday, February 28, noon-1:30 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center

Tucker is founder and former director of Grand Valley’s Kutsche Office of Local History. Her research focuses on historical and literary representations of 19th century African American women, and African American involvement in the Abolitionist and Underground Railroad movements.

Tucker’s presentations are approved for LIB 100 and 201 classes. They are free and open to the public.

The events are sponsored by Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, WGVU Media and the Inclusion and Equity Division. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma.