Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – One of the country’s leading black scholars will be the featured speaker at the West Virginia State University (WVSU) Black History Month Convocation on Wednesday, Feb. 5, beginning at 10 a.m. in the P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium of Ferrell Hall.
Dr. Boyce D. Watkins, a Scholar in Residence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Syracuse University, will deliver the keynote address at the Convocation. The event will also feature music by the WVSU Concert Choir and presentations on why Black History Month is celebrated. The public is invited to attend this free event.
“West Virginia State University looks forward to celebrating our heritage and diversity during Black History Month,” said WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill. “A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Watkins is anticipated to deliver a meaningful message that will resonate with WVSU students, faculty and staff as well as members of the Kanawha Valley.”
Watkins has been called “The People’s Scholar” for his passion for addressing matters affecting the black community.
He is featured regularly as a commentator on major radio and television networks such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox. His commentaries have also been featured in a number of publications including The New York Times, USA Today and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Watkins is also the author of several books, including “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good,” “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College” and “Black American Money: How Black Power Can Thrive in a Capitalist Society.”
Watkins is also the co-owner of the Your Black World Network, a digital media platform comprised of 14 websites, 500,000 social media fans and more than 100,000 email subscribers.
In addition to Wednesday’s Convocation, WVSU is also sponsoring a number of other activities for Black History Month.
On Monday, Feb. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Davis Fine Arts Building Theatre “Be Still and Know That He is God,” a musical portrayal of African-American women’s history will be performed by the ladies of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Charleston.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Davis Fine Arts Building Theatre a performance of “Voices in Black History” will take place highlighting black history through poetic songs and spoken word performances.
Then Feb. 24-28, students can participate in the 2014 National African-American Read-In each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room 128 of the Wilson University Union.
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