Submitted by: Dr. Camilla Westenberg

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 2, 2005) - The Phoenix College Black Student Union (BSU) will celebrate Black History Month. Three annual events will again occur. First, there will be its Annual Black History Month Kick-Off Festival outside in Sophomore Square on Wednesday, February 2 from 9:00AM until 2:00 PM. The annual festival will feature the smooth jazz and rhythm and blues sounds of Doc Jones with Nayo, vendors with Afro centric merchandise, games, and food. Next, it will have its annual luncheon on Wednesday, February 23 at which time it will present its 7th Living Legend Award to a Phoenix College alumnus who has made significant contributions in the community. The recipient will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon and his or her name will be placed on the BSU Living Legend Tree on the second floor of Fannin Library. In addition, it will have its annual African/African-American Reunion on Friday, February 25 at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria of upper level of Hannelly Center. At the event the students are encouraged to wear African attire and will have a cultural exchange of music, dance, poetry, and or art while feasting on food from various parts of African brought by African students and soul food brought by African-American students. The evening will conclude with each African student being introduced by country and with a gift exchange between the two groups of students; each African student is introduced by country and presented an African-American information packet and gift and the BSU is provided with an African Art piece which will be placed into an African art display.

This year in Sophomore Square on Wednesday, February 16 from 11:30 to 1:00 PM there will also be the discussion and performance of Mocko Jumbie, the stilt dancing which is used in Africa for rituals and in the Caribbean for entertainment. Finally, the students will support a young African-American entrepreneur by attending the opening of an art exhibit "Chains" and Poetry at the Funk Shop on Friday, February 11. The Funk Shop is a part of the Artlinks First Friday," a free self-guided tour of Downtown Phoenix galleries, studios and artspaces on the First Friday of each month." Also, the BSU students will have a weekly rotating exhibit in Fannin Library honoring Arizona Legends and featuring an achievement exhibit: "A Historical Tapestry of African-American Greats". The exhibits areas will be science, politics and law, arts and entertainment, and religion and community.

In addition, the Phoenix College Student Life will present Kawambe-Omowale in the Bear's Den Patio on Tuesday, February 15 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

For detailed information about any Phoenix College BSU Black History Month event, please go to the Phoenix College homepage or for additional information, please call Dr. Camilla Westenberg at (602) 285-7365.

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