51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s Black History Month celebrations kick off in earnest this week, with scheduled guest speakers, panel discussions and a step dance performance taking place throughout February.

A full list of programming can be found on 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s .Ìý

Highlights include a about the history of African Americans' right to vote and the rise of Black elected officials, taking place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Community Engagement Center in Homewood, and the release of "Race, Justice, and Activism in Literacy Instruction," a new book by , the Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the .ÌýKinloch will the topic at noon Feb. 25 in Room 4303 of Posvar Hall.Ìý 

Details are forthcoming for 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s signature K. Leroy Irvis Black History Month Program, which will be a four-day festival from Feb. 26-29 celebrating art, music and poetry as a form of activism and social justice.ÌýIn 2008, the University named its annual Black History Month event to honor the memory of the legendary Pennsylvania legislative leader, 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ alumnus (LAW '54) and emeritus trustee. Irvis (pictured), who in 1977 became the first African American speaker of the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania and the first Black speaker of any statehouse since the Reconstruction Era, sponsored the 1966 bill that made 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ a state-related institution of higher education.

Black History Month is celebrated every February to acknowledge the contributions of those of African descent to our nation’s life and culture.