94-04-15 Black Student Alliance Plans Week of Events to Mark 25th Anniversary

BLACK STUDENT ALLIANCE PLANS WEEK OF EVENTS TO MARK 25TH
ANNIVERSARY

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 15 -- The Black Student Alliance
at the University of Virginia will commemorate its 25th anniversary
with a week-long series of events April 23-30.
     Organized under the theme, "when spider webs unite, they can
tie up a lion--the pride of what was, the promise of what will be,"
the events range from speeches by activist Dick Gregory and former
Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas to an outdoor
workshop on the hip hop oral tradition and activities for children
in the community.
     Former BSA chairs Thomas and Rev. Cecil Gray and Vivian
Gordon, former Virginia Supreme Court Justice, will lead a panel
discussion on the historical significance of the Black Student
Alliance at the University Friday, April 29, from 7 to 10 p.m. in
the Rotunda Dome Room.  Gregory will speak on "overcoming the
obstacles of white supremacy" Saturday, April 30, from 9 to 11 a.m.
in the Student Activities Building.
     Anniversary planners have organized the celebration in three
broad categories:  topical themes, cultural events and service
activities.  Among the themes to be addressed by speakers and panel
discussions are economic development and empowerment, significance
of religion in the black community, black literary tradition and
male and female relationships.
     Cultural offerings will include the workshop on African
elements of hip hop oral tradition on Tuesday, April 26, from noon
to 3 p.m. in the amphitheater (rain site is Newcomb Hall Ballroom)
and an African Spring Festival on Saturday, April 30, from 1 to 4
p.m.  To be held in the amphitheater, the festival will include
performances by the Elegbra Folklore Society, drummers, food and
vendors.
     "Because the Black Student Alliance wants to eliminate
oppression and racism wherever it may exist, the planners of the
commemoration felt it was important to design an activity that
would have a collective uplifting effect on the community," said
Damion Samuels, the 1993-94 BSA chair.
     In that spirit, he said, the celebration begins with a
University Service Day on Saturday, April 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. 
During the event at Crow Recreational Center, U.Va. students will
organize games and activities for children of all ages.  In
addition, Zak Kondo, professor of African-American history at Bowie
State University, will facilitate a workshop on peer pressure and
self-esteem.
     A "family reunion" barbecue from 5 to 8 p.m. that evening in
the Emmet Street dell near Alumni Hall is open to the community at
large.  Admission is $3, or $2 with a contribution of canned goods
or clothing.
     In 1969, when there were about 50 black students at the
University, George Taylor founded Black Students for Freedom, an
organization designed to address concerns of the minority students
who had entered a predominantly white institution during the Civil
Rights era.  Two years later, under the leadership of Thomas, the
organization was renamed the Black Student Alliance.  One of the
organization's goals has been to stimulate an environment that
welcomes ethnic, cultural and gender diversity, Samuels said.
     "The planners of the 25th anniversary commemoration have taken
on the task of condensing a continuum of activism into a series of
events.  We hope the commemoration will allow people to view the
issues facing Africans through a global, activist perspective,"
Samuels said.
     All of the events, co-sponsored by the offices of the U.Va.
president, the dean of the faculty, Alumni Association, African-
American Affairs, the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center, Student
Council, University Union, Women's Center, Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi fraternity are open to the public.
     Most events, including the panel discussion with Thomas and
Gregory's speech, are free.  For more information, call the BSA
office at (804) 924-3589.
                               ###
                                                   April 14, 1994
     A schedule of events is attached.  For more information,
contact Samuels, Anike Edmonds, Illana Lancaster or Rodney Kofi
Hopson at the BSA office, (804) 924-3589.

Karen A. Castle
University News Office
kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu
(804) 924-7116


[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Fri, 15 Apr 94 08:39:43 EDT]