AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCHOLAR AND CULTURAL CRITIC PITT'S BAS GUESTS DURING BLACK WEEK

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 2 -- Molefi Kete Asante, African-American scholar, and Kevin Powell, cultural critic with Vibe magazine, bring insight and understanding to the University of Pittsburgh during Black Week as the Black Action Society prepares for a week-long celebration, Sunday through Saturday, Nov. 8 to 14, in the William Pitt Union (WPU), Oakland.

Asante, Temple University professor in African-American Studies and founder of the Afrocentricity theory, will speak about "Afrocentricity: African-American Students and the American Society," Monday, Nov. 9 at 8:30 p.m. in the WPU Assembly Room.

Known for publishing more scholarly books than any contemporary African author, Asante recently has been recognized as one of the ten most widely cited African Americans. He created the first Ph.D. program in African- American Studies at Temple University in 1984. Asante has appeared regularly on "Nightline," "Nighttalk," "BET," "MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour," "Today," the "Tony Brown Show, and "Night Watch."

Powell, best known for his stint on MTV's "The Real World," will lecture on "Hip Hop 101: A Rap on Rap Culture," Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the WPU Assembly Room.

Author of the recently published and critically acclaimed collection of essays "Keepin' It Real -- Post-MTV Reflections On Race, Sex, and Politics," Powell is also a poet whose work has been published in several journals and magazines. He co-edited "In The Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers." Powell's quotes and comments on a range of social, political, and cultural issues have appeared in Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Village Voice.

A list of events for "Black Week," which is free and open to the public unless otherwise noted, follows:

Monday, Nov. 9 Molefi Kete Asante

8:30 p.m. Afrocentricity lecture

Assembly Room - WPU

Wednesday, Nov. 11 Soul Food Night

4 p.m. Schenley Cafe - WPU

7 p.m. Kevin Powell

Rap Culture lecture

Assembly Room - WPU

Thursday, Nov. 12 Poetry Buffet

8:30 p.m. Kurtzman Room - WPU

Friday, Nov. 13 Fact Forum: Part 2

3 p.m. Panel Discussion with deans

and administrators

Assembly Room - WPU

7 p.m. Talent Show*

Assembly Room - WPU

$4 BAS members, $5 others

Saturday, Nov. 14 Entrepreneur Workshop

noon Kurtzman Room - WPU

4 p.m. Gospel Night

Some of God's Children

Assembly Room - WPU

Friday, Nov. 20 Fashion Show*

7 p.m. Assembly Room - WPU

$4 BAS members, $5 others

*Tickets available at the WPU ticket office.

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