Colorado State University Celebrates Black History Month with Events, Keynote Speaker Eric Thomas Feb. 15

As part of Colorado State University’s celebration of Black History Month, Eric Thomas, the hip-hop preacher, will give the opening keynote address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the Lory Student Center Grey Rock Room.

Thomas, who dropped out of high school at the age of 16, was living on the streets of Detroit when he met a pastor who became his mentor and inspired him to earn his GED diploma and enroll in college. Today, Thomas serves as chairman of Break the Cycle I Dare You, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing programs for youth with difficult backgrounds. By sharing his experiences, Thomas helps youth reach their potential in all aspects of life.

Marie Wright, better known by her stage name “Free,” will give this year’s closing keynote address at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in the North Ballroom of the Lory Student Center. Wright is a rapper and the former host of Black Entertainment Television’s “106th and Park.” She founded the Free4Life Foundation, an organization that provides opportunities for underserved youth in the Boston area.

“Black History Month not only highlights the influence African-Americans had on society, it also helps people remember the danger of racial and socio-economic oppression, which affects more than just blacks,” said Bridgette Johnson, director of the Black/African American Cultural Center. “One question we should all be asking ourselves this month is, ‘How am I going to celebrate black history?’”

The CSU Black/African American Cultural Center has organized a variety of other events in celebration of Black History Month, which runs through February.

Feb. 3
-Success Talk presented by Aaron Madonna at 6 p.m., Lory Student Center Rooms 214-216.

Feb. 7
-Movie Mondays: “Do the Right Thing” at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

Feb. 8
-Real Talk: MLK vs. Malcolm X at 4 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

– Black Arts: Through Their Eyes at 6 p.m., Lory Student Center Rooms 213-215. Presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Feb. 9
– Black Beauty at noon, Lory Student Center Room 228. Presented by Black/African American Cultural Center and Women and Gender Advocacy Center.

Feb. 14
-Movie Mondays: “Something the Lord Made” at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

Feb. 15
-Real Talk: The LeBron Complex at 4 p.m. Lory Student Center Room 204.

– Opening Keynote Speaker: Eric Thomas, hip-hop preacher, at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Grey Rock Room.

Feb. 16
– Women in Music at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 205. Presented by United Women of Color.

Feb. 18
-Theatrical showcase: “10 Perfect: A Lynching Survivor’s Story” at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater.

Feb. 21
-Movie Mondays: “The Secret Life of Bees” at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

-Closing Keynote Speaker: Free Wright, former host of BET’s “106th and Park,” founder of the Free4Life Foundation at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center North Ballroom.

Feb. 22
-Real Talk: The Values of a Black Community at 4 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

– Take a Trip Through Time: Black Poetry Through the Years at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 208. Presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Feb. 23
– OMENALA African Drumming at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater. Presented by ASAP.

Feb. 24
– Lynn Manning, former Blind Judo Champion, actor, and poet at 5 p.m., Lory Student Center North Ballroom. Presented by Black Student Alliance.

-Pillow Talk Book Club Presents: Maya Angelou’s “Letters to My Daughter” at 9:30 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.

Feb. 27
-Closing Ceremony, part one, presented by United Men of Color at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Main Ballroom.

Feb. 28
-Movie Mondays: “For Colored Girls” at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Lory Student Center Room 204.
-Closing Ceremony, part two: Intikana One Man Hip Hop Show at 7 p.m., Lory Student Center East Ballroom. Presented by ASAP.

More information about Black History Month events can be found at www.baacc.colostate.edu or by calling (970) 491-5781.
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