The theme of the program is “Diversity Counts: Today’s Priority, Tomorrow's Reality.” Frazier is expected to provide an inspirational speech to the diverse students who will be graduating in May/August 2013.

 Frazier has served on the Economic Development Committee, the Pittsburgh School Desegregation Advisory Committee, and the Pittsburgh Council on Public Education, and has chaired the Health and Human Services Committee and the the Special Committee on Children, Youth, and Families. She also founded a local high school PTA and was cofounder of the PA Women’s Campaign Fund.

The AACC Pre-Commencement Program has become a favorite and well-expected event of students. As a department, it honors and recognizes the students who are its target for this milestone achievement. The program will include the presentation of several outstanding student awards to graduating diverse students along with special recognition awards to 37 faculty and staff whom the students nominated as being instrumental to their successful persistence to college graduation. As well, various student performances will complement the program. Approximately 236 diverse students will be graduating and have been invited to attend this year’s Spring program. In addition, approximately 500 guests have replied that they will be attending the program.

Please feel free to join us as the African American Cultural Center celebrates a great achievement of diverse students. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to all. For further information or to RSVP, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Dr. King stated that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Thus, Dr. King’s holiday is often noted as a “day on, not off,” and citizens are asked to involve themselves in a variety of volunteer community service activities.

This year, the U.S. President has named January 19, 2013, as the National Day of Service. Thus, service activities can be conducted on this day as well. Service should be more broadly defined, e.g., from participating in an educational workshop/performance to attending a dedication or tribute program; donating to the less fortunate; serving a few hours at a nonprofit, social improvement/development agency; and performing other acts of kindness.

Below are several events that will be going on in the Indiana community that will be available for your participation. Feel free to do so as your schedule permits.

1. The Indiana Department of Human Services collected school supplies/personal hygiene items to donate to a number of agencies from January 14–18, 2013, and will distribute the donations on MLK Day, January 21.
2. The Indiana NAACP will hosts its annual MLK Freedom March and Fellowship Celebration on Saturday, January 19. The march begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Indiana Courthouse and will proceed to Grace United Methodist Church for the fellowship program at (11:00 a.m. and lunch at noon. Free! All are welcome.
3. The African American Cultural Center at IUP (AACC) will display a Martin Luther King Jr. Black History Month exhibit in Stapleton Library entitled “African Americans and the United States: Embracing the Past, Building the Future,” opening on January 21 and concluding February 28. The exhibit can be seen daily during regular library hours on the first floor of Stapleton. Free!
4. The American Red Cross will host the Indiana Community Blood Drive on January 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rustic Lodge. Volunteers and blood donors are needed. Walk-ins are welcome, but the preference is to schedule an appointment in advance. To do so, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455. This event is the annual MLK Blood Drive and is cosponsored by the AACC, the IUP Women’s Club, the Indiana NAACP, and many other community agencies and businesses. Donations of food items are also needed.

All of the above events are free. For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455. Also, please let us know at the AACC if you participate in an activity during the MLK Holiday weekend. Thank you.

The program takes place at 5:00 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 640 N. Fifth Street. It is free and open to all!

IUP students will assist in various ways, including hosting crafts sessions with children, serving guests, and decorating. Guests are asked to bring a food item to share, while major food items will be provided.

Besides holiday goodie bags for children, a surprise visit from Santa will occur.

For further information or to RSVP, please call the CCCC at 724-463-0674 or 724-463-6391, or the the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Besides the traditonal Kwanzaa ceremony, the program will feature IUP Voices of Joy Gospel, African Dance Ensemble, and guest performer Tobey Foyeh and Orchestra Africa of Nigeria.

Dr. Ferrera Trent is the invited guest speaker. Trent, Oprah Winfrey's "all-time guest," is the founder of Tinogona (Shona for "it is achievable"), which builds and repairs schools in rural Zimbabwe.

The event will also feature the traditional Kwanzaa Feast. In keeping with the spirit of Kwanzaa, guests are requested to bring a cover dish to share and a non-perishable food item for the Ujamaa Food Drive.

Themed "A Little Bit of History, a Little Bit of Culture," the program promises to be a relaxing and entertaining way to end the semester prior to final exams.

A special Kwanzaa craft workshop will be held on Thursday, December 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the HUB Susquehanna Room. Come make a special and unique gift, just in time for the holiday season. Cost is $5 per person.

All are welcome to both of these events! To RSVP or for further information, please call the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Nonperishable food items can be brought to the AACC, at B23 Delaney Hall (across from Folger's Hall), from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, or they may be placed in clearly marked collection boxes placed at various locations on campus.

This year, donations will go to the Chevy Chase Community Center Food Bank or other local food banks. All donations will help those in need in our community.

For further information, please call the AACC at 724-357-2455.

President Driscoll with members of various student organization at the AACC. From left: Marquette Perrin, president, African Dance Ensemble; Jonathan Thompson, president, Latino Student Association; Driscoll; Toya Robertson, POIZ Modeling Troupe; Madison Nyah, Pan African Student Association; Carolyn Princes, director of the AACC; and Melkia Green, president of the Black Student League

For at least 23 years, the African American Cultural Center has sponsored Directions, the annual welcoming program for entering diverse students. The program has expanded to include not only diverse graduate and undergraduate students, but also students of the Ujamaa Living-Learning, social-justice focused floor in Delaney Hall and transfer students from the Punxsutawney campus.

The program's overall purpose is to not only welcome these students to IUP, but to provide them with further information and opportunities that can serve as a "roadmap for success," with directions that could aid them when and if needed on their journey through college.

Photo, from left: Naya McCrae, President Driscoll, and Nina Waters

Student recipients of the $500 African American Alumni Scholarship for 2012 and 2013 were among the honored guests. Driscoll spoke with both students—Naya McCrae (2012) and Nina Waters (2013)—and was highly interactive and engaging throughout his visit at the program. Special thanks are extended to all who attended and helped to make the program possible.

On September 6, 2012, Driscoll and Rhonda Luckey, vice president for Student Affairs, toured the AACC office and met with several students.

Photo, from left: President Driscoll with AACC graduate student worker Mariette Bien-Aime; Luckey; graduate student worker Cory Palek; and Princes

During his visit, Driscolll engaged in a lively, informal talk with the students, providing them with an opportunity to get to know him as a person and to address questions they may have had, including their perception of what they felt is needed but missing from the Center. For many of the students, this was probably the first time they had an opportunity to even meet and interact with a college president, especially on a level at which they could relate. Needless to say, Driscoll's visit to the Center was well received, and we are thankful for his taking time out of his buy schedule to tour the AACC and meet, greet, and interact with the students.

The men, members of the group known as “The Players,” included Donald Howe ’79, Mike Higgins ’80, Claud Epps ’80, Jamie Wallace ’80, and Jamie Wallace ’82. Prior to this event, on October 4, they toured the AACC office and talked informally with several students. At the restaurant, they were joined by another alumnus, Aaron Princes ’08 and ’09.

From left: Steve Whiting ’82; Jamie Wallace ’80; Carolyn Princes, associate dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs/director; Naya Mcrae, 2012 African American Alumni Scholarship Recipient; Claude Epps ’80; Mike Higgins ’80; and Donald Howe ’79 (missing, 2013 recipient Nina Waters)

As a panel, each alumnus introduced themselves and provided words of wisdom and encouragement to the students in attendance. They all fully participated in the Cozumel program, including the salsa dance contest. One member of the “Players” group was recipient of the first place prize for the salsa dance contest, and the alumnus presented the entire winnings to his undergraduate partner.

The alumni also had an opportunity to meet and greet the 2012 IUP recipient of the $500 African American Alumni Scholarship, Naya McCrae. Unfortunately, invited guest and 2013 recipient Nina Waters was unable to attend the event. The overall program provided students with an opportunity to interact with people from the university and local community of different racial/ethnic and social backgrounds in a culturally-enriching and pleasant environment.

It was quite apparent to the 32 persons in attendance that the objectives of Cultural Enrichment Night were met, and the event was an overall success. It received a rating of 4.86 out of a possible score of 5.00. On behalf of IUP and its students, the 2012 scholarship recipient presented the alumni with a small token of appreciation for their work and support of students.

The “Players” also attended the Crimson Huddle and met with many people, including the new president of IUP, Michael Driscoll, and attended the football game.

The African American Cultural Center extends special thanks to the African American alumni for their support and for helping to make AACC Homecoming activities at Cozumel successful.

On Thursday, October 11, Campusano will present the workshop “Characteristics and Habits of the Most Effective Leaders: Practical Advice.” This will take place from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Delaney Hall, room B39, at the student leadership development luncheon and workshop for the Maat Student Organization Presidents’ Council.

Admission to this event is free, but RSVP is requested at 724-357-2455.

On Tuesday, October 10, Campusano presented the free lecture “Human Rights Situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic.”

Campusano’s visit is cosponsored by the Pan-African and Latin American Studies programs and the African American Cultural Center. Further information can be obtained by contacting Marveta Ryan-Sams at 724-357-7530, e-mail mmryan@iup.edu, or the AACC at 724-357-2455, e-mail A-A-C-C@iup.edu.

Jimbo and the Soupbones is “a band that can make you happy.” A musical consortium of funk, rock and soulful emotions, James “Jimbo” Jackson, with charisma to spare, is the quintessential frontman. Everything about Jimbo is big, including his body, voice, and, most actively, his stage presence. He is the band’s songwriter “who lets no lyrical rules govern,” as tragic and often humorous stories and songs are written with specific intentions.

All who attends his performance should be inspired and leave with a feeling of jubilence.

The event is free and open to the public and takes place this Saturday, September 22, in the HUB beginning at 4:00 p.m. For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

All parts of the program remain, including the Wobble Dance Contest. Participants who have not preregisted for the Wobble Dance Contest should come to the HUB and register by 3:00 p.m.

CounterBlast is the annual get-acquainted program sponsored by the AACC and is designed to promote interactions and awareness among entering minority students and upperclassmen and related minority student groups, as well as interactions and awareness between minority and nonminority students.

This year’s program will feature a live band (Jimbo and the Soupbones), make-your-own musical DVD, airbrush t-shirts, an inflatable Money Machine, student performances, and lots of prizes and fun. All are welcome!

For further information, please contact IUP AACC at 724-357-2455.

The program will honor and recognize nearly 250 graduating diverse students  from the May and August 2012 graduating classes.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Stacey was named one of New Jersey’s “Upcoming Top 40 Under 40 Professionals” in 2010.  A higher education administrator with over 15 years of professional experience, she currently serves as director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, where she has worked since 1999.  She has held positions as complex director, program coordinator, assistant director of Residence Life,  and associate director of the College Center at Richard Stockton. 

Zacharoff received both a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration  and a Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from IUP. She is also an alumna from the Mid-Managers Institute, sponsored by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and has received several awards and recognition for her community service and her dedicated work with students.  She is a board member of the Oceanside Charter School, located in Atlantic City, N.J.; a member of the Educational Opportunity Fund Professional Association; and served as the second vice president of the Council of Black Faculty and Staff, where she organized the annual scholarship dinner raising over $20,000 for deserving students. Her goal is “to always empower students, particularly students of colors, to guide them through life from middle school throughout college.” Because of this goal, Stacey codesigned the Mentor Speaking Series, a program that provides opportunities for eighth-grade girls to learn and reflect on issues that they face.

Stacey is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Kappa Omega Chapter, where she serves as the graduate advisor to Pi Chi Chapter.

Tickets to the reception and awards event are free, but required.  They can be obtained from the African American Cultural Center (AACC) until “sold out.”  For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.  All are welcome!

For further information, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Visit the famous Motown Museum, tour the Charles Wright African American Cultural Center (the largest African-American cultural center in the nation), and have dinner at the infamous Southern Fries Soul Food Restaurant.

Cost: $40 for IUP students and $90 for the public. The cost includes round-trip transportation, entrance fee to the two museums, and dinner at Southern Fries.

The bus departs from the AACC (920 Grant St., IUP) promptly at 3:00 a.m. and returns approximately 2:30 a.m. on April 22.

Tickets are available at the HUB Box Office on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration and approved ID are required to board the bus.

All are welcome to participate. For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center Office at 724-357-2455.

This session will provide an opportunity for students to meet up close and personal with the filmmaker.

For reservations, please contact the African American Cultural Center immediately at 724-357-2455.

Completed applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on April 30, 2012, to the African American Alumni Scholarship Committee, c/o Dr. Carolyn Princes, Associate Dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs/Director of the African American Cultural Center, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Susan Delaney Hall, B23, 920 Grant St., Indiana, Pa 15705.

For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

The program recognizes and honors graduating diverse students. Five outstanding student awards as well as several faculty special recognition awards will be presented, the latter of which is based on nominations from members of the graduating class. Application for the awards are available online or at the AACC Office, Delaney Hall, B23, and are due by 4:00 p.m. on April 20, 2012.

The event is free and open to all at IUP and in the Indiana community. Tickets are required for admission, and can be reserved by contacting the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Awards are presented in five areas:

• Ongoing Commitment
• Emerging Leadership
• Service
• Academic and Lifetime Achievement
• Undergraduate/Graduate Student Groups

Faculty, staff, students, and community members are eligible to apply. Applications and/or nominations for the awards are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012, and should be submitted to the IUP African American Cultural Center, Susan Delaney Hall, B23, Indiana, PA 15701. Application for the awards are available online or at the AACC Office.

For further information, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

A full day of activities is planned, concluding with a keynote program at 6:00 p.m. in the HUB Ohio Room featuring guest speaker Burrell Brown, attorney and professor of Management and Labor Management and and chair of the Business and Economics Department at California University of Pennsylvania. Brown is past legal counsel/president for the Pennsylvania State NAACP and vice president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. He was also appointed by two Pennsylvania governors to several committees, including the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, and is chair of the Interbranch Commission on Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness. Along with Brown, several student and community participants, including the IUP African Dance Ensemble, will highlight the program.

This program will explore the contemporary relevance of Dr. King in an edutaining way by reflecting upon and celebrating the historical and cultural achievements of African Americans, and resolving with inspiring information on fulfilling a better tomorrow as a human race. All are welcome and encouraged to attend an awe-inspiring evening of song, dance, prose, music, and intellect.

Other activities of the day include films presented for the MLK/BHM Film Series from 10:00–11:45 a.m. Martin: The Man and the Dream and Great Black Innovators will be presented in the HUB Monongahela Room, and 50 Cents’ All Things Fall Apart will be shown in the HUB Susquehanna Room.

The MLK Luncheon and Reflections Workshop, “Living the Dream and Black History Month,” will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the HUB Ohio/Monongahela rooms.

Class attendance vouchers will be available. All events are free and open to the public, and all activities will occur in the Hadley Union Building (HUB).

The awards are presented to the most talented undergraduate and graduate African-American students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. International students are also eligible to apply. Two awards will be presented from each of three regions: Western, Central, and Eastern (IUP is in the Western Pennsylvania region). A description of each available award and the respective requirements are available at the IUP AACC Office, 920 Grant St., Room B23, Delaney Hall.

Scholarships are awarded based on several criteria, including the following areas: 1) Scholarship, 2) extracurricular activities, 2) leadership qualities, 3) interpersonal qualities, 4) a written essay, 5) 3.0 cumulative GPA or better, and 6) a brief bio sketch and photograph. All recipients must attend the annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon that will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012, from 12:15–2:00 p.m. in Harrisburg, Pa.

Completed applications include an official transcript, the application, and three letters of reference, one of which must be from a college professor. All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

The completed application must be submitted by January 30, 2012 (no exception) to Carolyn Princes, Associate Dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs/Director of IUP AACC, Susan Delaney Hall, 920 Grant St., Room B23, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705.

All applications will be considered and reviewed for eligibility, but final selections will be made by the PBCOHE Scholarship Committee.

If you need an application or further information, please contact the IUP AACC at 724-357-2455.

Please ignore the deadline shown on application materials as well as the “mail to” address. The deadline was extended to January 30, 2012, and all materials must be submitted to Princes as noted above.

Saturday, January 14, 2012: Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Civil Rights March

The march will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Indiana County Courthouse (8th and Philadelphia St.) and proceed to Grace United Methodist Church. There will be a memorial program at the church at 11:00 a.m., followed by a fellowship luncheon at noon. The march is hosted by the Indiana County NAACP.

January 15–February 29: Living the Dream and Black History: Historical and Contemporary Achievements Exhibit

The exhibit will run at the IUP Stapleton Library and may be viewed during regular library hours.

Monday, January 16: Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Blood Drive

The AACC will partner with the American Red Cross to host their annual Martin Luther King Blood Drive, the largest blood drive in the area.

The drive will be held 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. at Rustic Lodge, Indiana.

Bllood donors, donations, and volunteers are needed. Volunteers are especially needed 1:00–4:00 p.m. Please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Monday, January 30: 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program and Black History Month Kick-Off

In conjunction with the Six O’Clock Series and the Office of Social Equity and Civic Engagement, the AACC offers a daylong schedule of activities with the theme, “Living the Dream and Black History: Relevance, Reflections, and Challenges.”

The program will be held in the Hadley Union Building.

Activities include:

• Martin Luther King Jr./Black History Month Film Series, 10:00–11:45 a.m
• Reflections workshop and lunch, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
• Keynote program, 6:00 p.m.—featuring Burrell Brown, Esq; the IUP African Dance Ensemble, and more.

All events are free and open to the public. Please join us! If additional information is needed, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

For further information, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

It includes the Kwanzaa Feast (Karamu), student participants, guest speaker Deo Mwano of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and guest performer Ewabo Caribbean Trio. The program provides a unique educational experience, including the presentation of the traditional Kwanzaa ceremony.

Besides Dr. Shirley Johnson of the College of Education, Deo Mwamo, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and former participant of Dancing with the Stars, and Ewabo Caribbean Trio will be instrumental to this year's theme of "Partnering for Our Common Destiny: Beyond Borders, Global Awareness, and Cultural Appreciation."

Mwamo will inspire the audience with not only a few words of wisdom, but also with his "undoubted talent in dance" and with a special piece he will choreograph with IUP African Dance Ensemble. Ewabo Caribbean Trio, whose motto is "One Love," will help to complete the evening by engaging the audience in a vast array of "exceptional musical arrangements of traditional and contemporary calypso, reggae, and Pan Drum music."

The event is free and opened to the public but a covered dish is requested and should be brought to the HUB Ohio Room by 2:00 p.m. on December 10. All are welcome!

Cosponsored by IUP Black Student League, Maat Student Organization President's Council, and STAND (Students Taking Action Now DARFUR). For further information or to RSVP as soon as possible, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

This year's theme is "Ambitions and Dreams." Several outstanding student awards will be presented along with special recognition of several faculty members, whose nomination is based on nominations from the students.

Ms. Malaika Turner of the Office of Housing and Residence Life will present the keynote message and Ms. Ainyae Stratton will dedicate a special performance to the students. The reception immediately follows the event, which is free and open to the public.

An RSVP by December 9 is strongly encouraged and will be most appreciated. For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Along with Dr. Shirley Johnson of the College of Education, choreographer and activist Deo Mwamo, and Ewabo Caribbean Trio, highlight the program that will also feature IUP's own students, faculty, and community members. Admission is free but a donated covered dish is requested. RSVPs are also appreciated at 724-357-2455. Please join us at IUP AACC as we conclude another enriching semester.

Collection boxes will be situated at various campus locations, including at the African American Cultural Center in B23 Susan Delaney Hall. Also, a collection drive will be held at the IUP Basketball games on Saturday, December 19 and 20, 2011. Please join us in our attempt to assist others who may not be as fortunate as we are. You can drop off your donated food items at the AACC Office, or where you see clearly identifiable boxes on campus. For further information you can contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The Help is a current film that involves “a story of divisions, mostly in terms of race, but also, of divisions in regards to class and of gender, and not just abuse against African American maids in the 60s-era of Mississippi.” The film reminds us “of how far we’ve come, how far we still have to go, and how even with a meager attempt to reach out, any slight intention to create a community among all people indicates that there is hope for a better world.” Besides being “a “family-friendly, Walt Disney version of what went on in places like Jackson, Mississippi during the turbulent sixties civil-rights era, elevated by a trio of strong performances by several actresses playing the maids,” The Help is an entertaining film which also suggests that “higher stakes are at play and makes the film worth watching.” Its message “...is vital to our humanity.”

Showings of The Help will occur over three days as follows:

• Thursday, October 27, 7:00 p.m., G5 Delaney Hall
• Friday, October 28, 5:00 p.m., Pratt Auditorium
• Saturday, October 29, 3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Eberly College of Business Auditorium

Admission is free and open to the public. Further information can be obtained from the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The Help is presented by the African American Cultural Center in conjunction with IUP Black Student League.

Attendees will meet at the AACC for pictures with Norm at 6:30 p.m., and depart for Yarnick Farms, Indiana, Pa., at 7:30 p.m. Return to Indiana is expected by 11:00 p.m. Transportation is provided, but space is limited.

All are welcome! Cost for the event is $6 per person, payable in advance.

For further information or to reserve your seat, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The film is a thirty-minute documentary by Dr. Scriven that “explores the graduation rates, loan debt, and skill acquistion through the lens of African American students.”

A question and answer period follows the lecture by Dr. Scriven. The program is bound to be educational, entertaining, and exciting.

At 4:30 p.m. in the HUB Allegheny Room, a reception with Dr. Scriven will be held to allow for more informal interactions. The event is free and open to the public.

For further information, please contact the IUP African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

This event at Cozumel has become an annual AACC Homecoming event. Not only will you enjoy an authentic Mexican meal, relax and have fun among a diverse group, and learn to dance to Salsa, but, afterwards, you can be a contestant in a Salsa dance contest that includes a first, second, and third place prize.

The Salsa Dance will be demonstrated by experts at the restaurant.

Those interested in the dance contest should register with the AACC by noon on Thursday, September 30, 2011.

Admission is only $5 per person, paid in advance, whcih includes an authentic Mexcian meal, the Salsa dance lessons, and registration for the dance contest. Space is limited and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For registration and/or further information, please contact the AACC Office at 724-357-2455.

All are welcome!

Designed to showcase the talent, service, skills, and joys of minority students, this program brings upperclassmen and entering students together in an interactive, social setting.

Counter Blast, a highly rated AACC program, features several new and some old attractions, including bungee jumping, a magician, “Make Your Own DVD,” music, great BBQ, several contests, and a number of raffle items.

Table reservations are now being accepted. Admission and participation is free. All are welcome!

For further information, or to RSVP, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-257-2455.

The event is designed to provide students with opportunities to interact with faculty, staff, administrators, and student leaders. Guest speaker will be Touré, television host and author of Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?: What It Means to Be Black Now. As a provocative, engaging, witty, and thought-provoking speaker, Touré is one of the most important writers on culture today.

The program’s theme is Partnering for Our Common Goal: Hooray for the New! Opportunities and More. It will continue the legacy of providing information on “succeeding in spite of yourself” and a road map to success.

The Directions Dinner-Reception is one of the most highly rated AACC programs. Touré and the various members of the IUP community will join together to officially assist with welcoming entering minority students to campus. Directions’ seating is limited, so come early and bring an entering student! Afterward, stay to watch the televised football game as IUP plays Bloomsburg

Touré’s latest book will be among several prize items presented.

For further information or to RSVP, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

The Meet and Greet takes place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the AACC office and in the outdoor area of Delaney Hall, B23 (across from Folger Hall).

Featuring an Olde Thyme Ice Cream Soda Festival and special guest entertainment by the Reggie Morris Blues Band of Baltimore, Maryland, this program is the AACC's annual, universitywide “Welcome to IUP” event. It is also a great opportunity for students, faculty, and administrators to interact and get to know each other. 

It is free and open to all.

For additional information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Should you have any questions, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The collection drive benefits the Indiana County Back to School Bash, to be held on August 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the 600 block of Church Street in Indiana, Pa.

Collection/donation boxes will be placed in the atrium area of Delaney Hall on the IUP campus (next to the AACC office), as well as in the AACC office itself.

If you are interested in contributing to the Indiana County Back to School Bash, please bring your donation(s) to the AACC by August 10 and drop them in the collection/donation box.

The items needed are for children from kindergarten to grade twelve. These include pens, pencils, notebooks, weekly planners, glue sticks, pocket dictionaries, backpacks, new or gently used clothing, and so on. Money donations and volunteers are also needed. Anything you can donate will be appreciated.

The Indiana County Back to School Bash is an initiative of the faith-based and community organizations that provide low-income children in Indiana County with resources for the start of the school year. Last year, the organization assisted over one thousand children. IUP made a huge contribution last year, and we hope to do the same this year, as many children in the county are in need of additonal support to obtain necessary items for back-to-school.

IUP’s participation in the collection/donation drive provides another opportunity for us to give back to the community.

All items collected and/or donated by IUP AACC will be delivered to the event sponsors on Wednesday, August 10.

For more information, or for a listing of other specific items, please feel free to contact the IUP AACC Office at 724-357-2455.

This program is designed for children eighteen and under, or those of any age who possess a special and documented physical or mental challenge.

Lunch will be provided free of charge at six Indiana County sites from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 13 to August 13, 2011.

Several IUP students and volunteers have registered for Project Cares and will serve as drivers, monitors, cooks, kitchen/clean-up help, after-lunch activity proviiders, etc.

The AACC Project Cares program is designed to encourage participation in community service activities by minority and underrepresented students while also assisting agencies with fulfilling a needed service component of their agency.

Volunteers are still needed for an After Lunch Program under consideration.

For further information on the Summer Lunch Program, please contact the Chevy Chase Community Center at 724-463-0674.

For information on participating in the Project Cares component of the Summer Lunch Program, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The Juneteenth Celebration is sponsored by the Chevy Chase Community Center, IUP’s African American Cultural Center (AACC), and the Indiana County NAACP. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

All are invited to this special event, and everyone is asked to bring a covered dish to share. The event is free and open to the public.

From its oriigin in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, the observance of Juneteenth as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, for self-improvement, and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities, and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

For further information on Wednesday’s Juneteenth Celebration, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455 or the Chevy Chase Community Center at 724-463-0674. Please come and enjoy this annual event. You are bound to have a great time! All are welcome!

Learn more about Juneteenth.

The program will take place on Friday, May 6, 2011, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. The reception follows the event and will feature Galen Jazz Band of Florida.

The program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. RSVPs are requested.

For further information, contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

The African American Cultural Center will host its annual End of Year Program on April 26, 2011, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The program will feature a special guest, the presentation of several Social/Justice Education Awards, and also serve as a culminating activity to its Ujamaa Living-Learning Floor program for academic year 2010–2011. Refereshments will be served as well.

The Social Justice/Education awards will honor those of the IUP and local community “who have demonstrated compassion, perseverance, courage, and leadership by engaging in the difficult work of fostering human dignity and our common humanity through their projects, programs, and visions.” The awards will also honor targeted students for their academic achievement and leadership.

The award categories are: Ongoing Commitment to Social Justice, Emerging Leadership, Service, Academic and Lifetime Achievement, and Undergraduate/Graduate Student Groups.

All in the IUP community can apply for the various Social Justice Awards (faculty, staff, students, community members). Nominations will be accepted as well. Applications and nomination forms are available at the African American Cultural Center, B23 Delaney Hall, and are due by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2011.

The event is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to apply for the Social Justice Awards.

This program will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the HUB Susquehana Room.

Participants will enjoy light refreshments (hot dogs, chips, and drinks) and a double feature/encore presentation of the award-winning documentary about the nation's public school system, Waiting for Superman, and a romantic comedy involving the dynamics of the coming together of relationships between two different ethnic groups, Our Family Wedding.

Waiting for Superman will be the first showing at 7:00 p.m., followed by Our Family Wedding.

The program is free and open to the public. Class attendance vouchers will be available. If further information is needed, please contact 724-357-2455.

The buzz is out! Now you can see what all the talk is about!

African American Cultural Center

Social Justice Awards will be given out, covering four areas: Lifetime Achievement, Ongoing Commitment, Emerging Leadership, and Student/Graduate Student Group.

The award will honor those of the IUP community “who have demonstrated their compassion, perseverance, courage, and leadership by engaging in the difficult work of fostering human dignity and our common humanity through their projects, programs, and visions.”

Applications are available at the African American Cultural Center, Delaney Hall, Room B23, and are due by 4:00 p.m., April 21, 2011. All are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Our Family Wedding will be shown March 29, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in Delaney Hall, Room G5, and Waiting for Superman will be shown on Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. in Beard Auditorium, Sprowls Hall.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Please feel free to join us as we continue to recognize the cultural, historical, and personal backgrounds and achievements of women.

For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Each movie is presented as part of the Micheaux Film/Discussion Series. All movies are free and open to the public. Attendance vouchers will be available, if needed.

The upcoming films are as follows:

• Maria, Full of Grace, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m. in the HUB Ohio Room
• Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues, Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:00 p.m., HUB Ohio Room

For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

This free workshop will be presented by Kelly Valdez, independent-living specialist for the Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania.

The performance, cosponsored by the African American Cultural Center, is being presented in honor of Black History Month.

All are encouraged to attend this free program.

Please see the African American Cultural Center website for other upcoming Black History Month events.

Various nonperishable food iterms were collected November 29 through December 11, 2010. Ninety-one pounds of food were collected and donated to the Indiana County Community Action Program.

The AACC extends sincere appreciation and thanks to the IUP community for your generous donations.

The awards were presented “in recognition of your committed dedication and relationship with culture centers across the nation,” and included the award for being one of the “100 Most Active Culture Centers of 2010,” an ABCC institutional member, and a former ABCC board member.

Dr. Princes also presented a paper at the conference, which she attended with two students and the office’s program assistant.

The conference is designed to “mentor and inspire the students to reach beyond college and take the next step in completing the educational circle: graduate school.”

Covered costs include registration, travel, lodging, and meals.

Students were notified of this opportunity in early December and have been enthusiastically submitting the required application along with the materials needed to support their consideration for attending the conference. Final decisions are now being made.

The exhibit titled “Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.” is displayed on the first floor of Stapleton Library. It incorporates various pictures, books, artifacts, and posters that vividly reflect upon the life, work, and legacy of Dr. King. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It runs January 15 through January 31, 2011.

The AACC office is also partnering with the American Red Cross to help host its annual MLK Blood Drive, which will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rustic Lodge in Indiana. Volunteers are needed to donate blood and/or provide needed food items for the drive and to serve as walkers, greeters, transporters, and so on.

Participation in either event supports the MLK holiday as a day of service. To volunteer or obtain further information on either event, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455 or the American Red Cross at 724-357-3911.

Please note that IUP will host a full-day MLK commemorative program on Thursday, January 27, 2011, which will feature a keynote address by several leading hip-hop activists, scholars, and artists. All events will be free and open to the public.

For further details, visit the African American Cultural Center website or call 724-357-2455.

Targeting graduating minority students, the program recognizes all students and presents several outstanding student awards that are based on academic achievement, leadership, community service, and personal accomplishments.

Among the awards presented will be the Mary McCleod Bethune Outstanding Student Award, Frederick Douglass Human Development Award, Caroll Mills Young Inspiration Award, and the Director's Outstanding Service and Leadership Award.

All are welcome!

The program is sponsored by the African American Cultural Center in conjunction with the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. For more information or to RSVP, call the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

In addition to a film showing of For Colored Girls and the theatrical performance I, Too, Sing the Weary Blues: the Langston’s Story, cosponsored by the College of Fine Arts, the AACC will host award-winning actor/performer, writer, and director Darryl Van Leer in Power on Earth, a one-man show that is "emotionally riveting," and features "vivid portrayls of some of history’s most important and influential African American figures," on Monday, February 14, 2011, in the HUB Ohio Room.

Sponsored in conjunction with the Six O’Clock Series program, you don’t want to miss this striking presentation by Van Leer that will help you feel a realistic sense of African-American history.

For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455. This event is free and opened to the public.

The day will include a “Day of Volunteer Community Service,” an MLK volunteer community service breakfast; “Reflections in Black: Afircan American History on Wheels Exhibit,” the annual MLK Luncheon and Reflections Workshop; a student leader's reception with the day's special guest, and a keynote program at 7:00 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium. The theme of the day will be “Maintaining Ethnic Identity, Celebrating Diversity.”

Following a brief introductory program, which will include several IUP students, the keynote program will feature a panel presentation entitled “What Would MLK, Jr. Say?: Is America Really Post-Racial?” The panel will be moderated by author-activist Bakari Kitwana who wrote The Hip Hop Generation and is president of Rap Sessions, Inc., the first national touring company that brings townhall format “to scores of critics across the country.”

Kitwana is also a former editor of the Source hip hop magazine, an artist-in-resident at the University of Chicago, and professor/teacher of the “Politics of the Hip Hop Generation.”

The panel members will feature several leading hip-hop actvists, scholars, and artists, including:

• Joan Morgan, author
• Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, author and Columbia University professor
• Jabari Asim, author of The N-Word, editior of NAACP's Crisis Magazine, and former deputy book editor for the Washington Post
• Invincible (Tiana Weaver), hip-hop artist, entrepreneur, youth activist
• Adam Mansback, author, Rutger's artist-in-residence, artistic consultant, founding editor
• Lisa Fager Bediako, consultant for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, president and co-founder of Industry Ears, Inc.

The panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, reception, and book-signing.

Mark your calendars now to particiipant in the most unique MLK Commemorative Program ever at IUP on January 27, 2011, sponsored by the IUP African American Cultural Center (AACC) in conjunction with several university departments and/or community agencies. All events will be free and open the public!

Please watch your calendars also for other IUP and local events that will celebrate MLK Day 2011 (Jan 17, 2011). These events wil begin Saturday, January 15, and run through January 31, with the highlight being the keynote program on January 27, as noted above.

If there are any questions about recognition of MLK Day 2011 at IUP, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The event will feature Nazu Dance and Drum Ensemble of Baltimore, Maryland, IUP Voices of Joy and Punxsutawney Divine Gospel Choir, several other student performances, and a keynote address by Ms. Tina Williams Brewer, an artist whose work with quilts and fiber arts “conjures up symbolism, folklore, history, spiritualism.” Often her work reveals stories about “universal peace, humanity, and the spirituality of Africa.”

Kwanzaa is an annual African American holiday of family, friends, community, and culture that takes place December 26, 2010, through January 1, 2011. In keeping with the spirit of Kwanzaa, Ms. Breyer’s topic will be “An Inspiration for Success: The Story of African/African American History Through Quilt-Making.” 

In addition to Ms. Brewer’s presentation and the variety of guests and/or performamces at this year’s program, IUP Kwanzaa Celebration 2010 is designed to be a truly enlightening, educational, relaxing, and remembering occasion that will help to prepare one for the days ahead and the new year. The event will include music, laughter, entertainment, lots of food, and a demonstration of the Kwanzaa Ceremony. Guest are asked to bring a covered dish to share as well as a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food bank.

Other events of IUP Kwanzaa Week include a free, special showing of the film Why Did I Get Married Too? It will be shown on Tuesday, December 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the HUB Susquehanna Room and again on Thursday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the HUB Monongahela Room.

Sponsored by the IUP African American Cultural Center and funded by student activities fees and human relations funds, all events of IUP Kwanzaa Celebration are free and open to the public. For further information and to RSVP, please contact the IUP AACC at 724-357-2455.

All are welcome! Remember to feel free to join in the celebration, and bring a food item to share as well as a nonperishable food item to donate to a local Food Bank.

This Meet and Greet event officially welcomes new and returning students back to IUP and the AACC. Besides providing attendees with an opportunity to meet the staff of the African American Cultural Center, along with representatives of the various minority student groups, a freshman Welcome Basket will be raffled, and students can register for free membership to the AACC’s Association Booster Club.

Membership benefits include being kept abreast of the activities and services provided by the AACC and of services that may help facilitates student’s better participation, integration, and adjustment to college life.

Further information on this event can be obtained by contacting the AACC Office at 724-357-2455.

It’s free, and all are welcome!

Designed to encourage interactions and awareness between majority and minority students, as well as introduce minority freshmen to upperclassmen and and their various cultures, this event will feature music by D.J. Dave, student organization representatives, t-shirt airbrushing and henna tatooing, dance contests, a skeeball competition, tarot card reader, caricuturist, a magician, raffles throughout the event, free food, and lots more.

All is free and are welcome!

For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455. Sponsored by the AACC in conjunction with the Black Emphasis Committee and the Black Student League.

This year’s program takes place on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the Crimson Event Center. Participants become familiar with the strategies, resources, and people who can provide support and/or assistance when needed.

Students can hear from and interact closely with IUP faculty, staff, administrators, and student leaders; enjoy great food and a special guest; and grasp concepts that help to put them in the right “direction” for experiencing academic success and for becoming more empowered and informed learners.

Invitation required!

For further information, please contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Indiana CareNet provides assistance to the elderly, physically challenges, and those at risk of losing their independence. The organization’s major, annual fundraiser is a Bowl-A-Thon that will occur this year on Saturday, August 14, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Mohawk Lanes in Indiana, Pa.

Your participation, contribution, and/or donation will be greatly appreciated. It will help to make a positive difference on behalf of the people served by the agency, and provides another indication that IUP Cares, not to mention that the event provides an opportunity for you to come out and just have some fun.

If you are interested in being a lane or team sponsor, or in just making a contribution to the establishment of a team on behalf of IUP, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455, or the CareNet director at 724-465-2865 to register and/or to or receive additional information. Any donation will be accepted.

IUP is supporting this event by collecting items to donate to the children on this important but festive occasion. Your donation of new and gently used clothing, backpacks, school supplies, and new underwear and socks will be appreciated. Volunteers, including beauticians, barbers, doctors, nurses, etc., who can provide assistance to the children on the day of the event, will be most appreciated.

This event is coordinated at IUP is by the African American Cultural Center’s (AACC) Project Cares program. Collection boxes will be posted at the Picnic in the Grove on August 4 and at the AACC in B23 Delaney Hall through August 17, 2010.

If you have items to donate, please bring and place them in the respective drop-off boxes. If you would like to volunteer or need more information, please contact Bill Shane at Graystone Presbyterian Church. You can also contact Dr. C. Princes at IUP at 724-357-2455.

As 60 percent of the Indiana, Pa., residents live at or below the poverty level, and one-third live at 50 percent below the poverty level, this means that one-third of our children live in families that truly struggle. Your donation will be greatly appreciated and provides another indication that IUP cares. Thank you for your consideration of this event.

Several awards will be presented on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, community service, and personal accomplishments.

Among the awards presented will be the John B. Russwurm Outstanding Student Award, Carter G. Woodson Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Benjamin S. Carson Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards, John S. Rock Exceptional Leadership and Service Awards, Frederick A. Douglass Human Development Awards, Caroll M. Young Inspiration Award, and the Director’s Special Recognition and Outstanding Service Award.

For more information, call the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

Haunted House attendees will meet at 8:00 p.m. at the AACC, depart by 8:30 p.m. from the AACC for the Haunted House (transportation provided), and will return to IUP at approximately 11:00 p.m. Participants can choose to journey through the maze and visit the Haunted House, or sit by the bonfire with others, drink hot chocolate, and enjoy various other food items that will be available at Yarnick’s Farm for purchase.

Admission is free for the IUP community (or $6 for non-IUP members), but space and transportation are limited! To reserve your seat or for more information, please call the AACC at 724-357-2455. Reservations will be taken until all seats are filled.

Key presenters and performers will include the Kulu West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, and Derrick Ashong, a Harvard-educated musician, lyricist, actor, and social entrepreneur who was a feature in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad. He is also the founder of Take Back the Mic, a youth empowerment agency.

The event is free and open to the public. A covered dish is required. For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

This year's program, “Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother,” features a showcase of IUP student talent, including various student leaders, the IUP Voices of Joy Gospel Choir, Against All Odds Band, and The Troupe Improv Group. Refreshments and door prizes will be available. For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

The cost is $5 per person after the first twenty persons. Space is limited! To reserve your place or receive further information, contact the AACC at 724-357-2455.

Besides Afro-Caribbean cuisine, special guests will include the Image Band from Washington, D.C. This “engaged dance band” and “one of the most beloved campus attractions in the country” will provide live music and lots of dancing. Totally free admission! Space is limited! Entrance is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Start the evening with something unique and different. Enjoy great food and have a great time with one of the most popular dance bands in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. For further information, contact the African American Cultural Center at 724-357-2455.

The program is designed to honor and recognize Dr. King and the National King Holiday as well serve as a kickoff to Black History Month 2010. The event is expected to include a full day of activities and a keynote program in Fisher Auditorium at IUP.

Please watch the African American Cultural Center website for further information on this program as it develops. You can also contact us at 724-357-2455.

We hope you can join us and ask that you encourage students to attend. This will be an excellent oppornity to meet the staff, tour our facility, learn more about what we do, and let us know how we may be of assistance to you. Please feel free to join us.

Also, please note that the Resource Library of African American History and Culture (at the African American Cultural Center) is available for students and your use as needed, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center is located in Susan Snell Delaney Hall, Room B23 (across from Folger Hall).

Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Carolyn Princes, associate dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs, at 724-357-2455.

Ms. Brazile is also chair of the Voting Rights Institute and the first African American woman to “lead a major presidential campaign,” having served as campaign manager for Gore-Lieberman 2000. She has also worked on a number of other presidential campaigns that range from Carter-Mondale to Clinton-Gore. Several students, faculty members, and a special presentation by award-winning children of Pittsburgh will be among other participants. The event is sponsored by the African American Cultural Center in conjunction with the office of Social Equity and Civic Engagement, the Pan African Studies Program, and a number of other university departments and/or organizations.

We hope you can join us. For further information, please contact the AACC at 724-357-2455 or visit the African American Cultural Center website. Further information on the Keynote speaker is available at the American Program Bureau.

The following is a complete listing of activities for the commemorative program on Thursday, January 29, 2009:

• 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — The Annual MLK Film Fest showing “King,” Crimson Event Center, Folger Hall
• 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. — The Annual MLK Luncheon and Reflections Workshop, Crimson Event Center, Folger Hall
• 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. — Keynote Program with Donna Brazile as guest speaker, Eberly College of Business Auditorium
  A Q&A period, reception, and book signing follow the keynote program.

All events are free. All are welcome!

We hope you can join us and ask that you encourage students to attend. This will be an excellent oppornity to meet the staff, tour our facility, and learn more about what we do, and let us know how we may be of assistance to you. Please feel free to join us.

Also, please note that, at the African American Cultural Center, the Library of African American History and Culture is available for students and your use as needed, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The center is located in Susan Snell Delaney Hall, Room B23 (across from Folger Hall).

Should you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Princes at 724-357-2455.