An evening of black cultural experiences in music, song and words awaits audience - for free
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1964 civil rights bill, Grambling State University’s Lyceum Committee hosts a “Commitment of Faith” program Thursday (Feb. 27) in the T.H. Harris Auditorium at 7 p.m. The Black History Month event is free.
“This came about as a community project to embrace and to challenge the community to continue to grow with the dream of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.,” said King David Godwin, interim dean of the College of Science and Technology and a Lyceum committee member. He said the committee, chaired by Stacey Duhon, vice president of student affairs and enrollment, wanted to introduce a program that would be inclusive of the city of Grambling, the broader community and the university. During a recent meeting, the group discussed having a community choir and selected students relive some of the speeches from the civil rights movement.
Seven students will read monologues from influential African-Americans, including Melanie Williams, who will be reading pieces from Sojourner Truth and Coretta Scott King. Orlando Lewellen will read a piece from Fredrick Douglas, Dawn Clemment will read the words of Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer. Justin Owens will read about Malcolm X, Ragje’ Iglehart will read a piece from the book “Angry Black Man,” Brandon McKnight will read a monologue from the powerful Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrea Beasley will read a story about spirituals and speak as Betty Shabazz.
In between each monologue a playlist of Negro Spirituals will be played based on research by Grambling State alumnus Derrick Slaton, who has provided a ministry of music for more than 40 years as a musician, director, music administrator, consultant/instructor in congregations, conventional bodies and training events in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Wisconsin. He is a member of the Zion Traveler Baptist Church of Ruston, where he serves as minister of music, and director of the mass and children’s choirs as well as the praise team.
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About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 47 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, February 26th 2014 at 4:11PM
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