February 6, 2006--"Empowerment: The Essence of a Woman's Work: Celebrating the 110th Anniversary of the National Association of Colored Women and the Contributions of Africana Women and Women's Groups" is the theme of Oberlin College's 2006 observance of Black History Month.

Highlighting the observance will be a performance of the famed Soweto Gospel Choir with a program that includes acrobatic dancing and traditional costumes, and a keynote address titled "The History of the National Association of Colored Women," presented by Lillian Williams, chair and associate professor of African American Studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo.

Another highlight is Black Folks Guide to Black Folks, a "one-woman comedic tour de force" (San Francisco Chronicle ) by poet and musician Hanifah Walidah. Currently based in California, the artist spearheaded and laid the foundation for the hip-hop poetic revolution in New York with collectives Vibe Khameleons and the Boom Poetic at the Nuyorican Café.

The Oberlin celebration also includes a screening of Faat Kine, a film by Ousman Sembene, the father of African cinema. The documentary is the filmmaker's tribute to what he calls the "everyday heroism of African women."

Unless marked with an asterisk, * all events are free and open to the public. For information, contact Courtney Patterson, Africana Community Coordinator, at 440-775-5355.

  Calendar of Events

• Formal Opening Dinner. * Friday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.   West Lecture Hall, Science Center Lecture: "Grandmothers, Granny Women, and Old Aunts in Antebellum Slave Communities" presented by Stephanie Shaw, associate professor of history at Ohio State University.
• Through Feb. 19 at Karamu Theatre. The Colored Museum, by George C. Wolfe directed by Caroline Jackson-Smith, Oberlin associate professor of theater and dance. For directions and ticket information, telephone 216-795-7070.
• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. Call for Papers deadline. For more information, telephone 440-775-5355. Paper topics should be based on or connected to this year's theme.
• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.   Hallock Auditorium, AJL Center for Environmental Studies. Film screening/discussion: Faat Kine, moderated by Meredith Gadsby, Oberlin assistant professor of African American studies.
•  Friday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m.   Mainspace, Warner Center. One-woman play: Black Folks Guide to Black Folk by Hanifah Walidah, who appears in conjunction with the Multicultural Resource Center's "My Name Is My Own" speaker series.
• Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. Studio 2, Warner Center. Workshop: A Poet's Guide to the Stage, led by Hanifah Walidah. *
• Monday, Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Finney Chapel. Concert: Soweto Gospel Choir -- Note: The concert is free, but general admission seating is limited and tickets are required. A maximum of four per household may be obtained by sending a SASE to Oberlin College Central Ticket Service, Hall Auditorium, 67 N. Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074.
• Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Afrikan Heritage House. Africana Woman Panel: Presentations by Pam Brooks and Meredith Gadsby, Oberlin assistant professors of African American studies; and Gina Perez, assistant professor of comparative American studies.
• Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. West Lecture Hall, Science Center. Lecture:  "African Women in Politics, Development, and Democratization" by Lisa Aubrey, associate professor of political science at Ohio University.
• Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. The Depot, Black Student Leadership Retreat. *
• Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 p.m. Afrikan Heritage House
  Soul Session.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Lounge in Third World House (Price), Sisters of the Yam Revival.
• Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m. West Lecture Hall --Science Center Keynote Address: "The History of the National Association of Colored Women" by Lillian Williams, chair and associate professor of African American studies at SUNY Buffalo.
• Friday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. Afrikan Heritage House Formal Closing Dinner. *
• Friday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. Atrium, AJL Center for Environmental Studies Closing ceremony featuring a performance by Oberlin College's Dance Diaspora. Certificates will be awarded to women who have contributed to the Oberlin community. The winner of the Call for Papers contest will be announced and asked to read an excerpt.

SITE ADDRESSES

• Afrikan Heritage House (Lord-Saunders) 126 Forest St.
• Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies, 122 Elm St.
• Finney Chapel, corner of W. Lorain and N. Professor Sts.
• Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street, Cleveland
• Warner Center, 30 N. Professor St.
• Third World House (Price), 100 Forest St.
• West Lecture Hall, Science Center, 119 Woodlawn St.