Black culture centers to visit IU

Black Culture centers from across the country will gather on the IU campus this weekend for the 14th annual National Conference of Association for Black Culture Centers. \nThe event, which typically attracts between 200 and 500 scholars, administrators and students, will be this Thursday through Saturday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the Indiana Memorial Union. \nIU bid against other universities starting two years ago for the privilege of hosting the event, which in the past has been held at other Big Ten universities such as the University of Illinois and The Ohio State University. \nOne thing that set IU apart was the appeal of the relatively new Neal-Marshall Center, said Fred Lee Hord, executive director of the Association for Black Culture Centers. It will be the first time visiting the center for most attendants, including Hord.\nHord said he is excited about bringing together and assisting with networking for Black and Multicultural centers from all over the country. \n"We get together once a year on a theme that is important to us," Hord said. "It's a time to celebrate, a time to share ideas and a time to network."\nThe theme of the convention this year is "Black Culture Centers and the Politics of Identity in the New Millennium." \nDirector of the Neal-Marshall Center Oyibo Afoaku said she initiated the bidding process because she believed the event would be an important opportunity for the IU campus to showcase its strengths.\n"We have to show these people what a lively, friendly and diverse campus we are," Afoaku said. "This is an opportunity to be a good host."\nAfoaku said the event also provides a chance to recruit potential students.\n"Some of the students coming (to the conference) may pursue graduate or professional studies," she said. "It's a good opportunity to recruit more black students."\nAfoaku also said she is looking forward to the activities planned for the event.\n"One of the unique things about the conference is there are a lot of diverse activities," she said. "We are going to be seeing presentations by very respected people."\nSpeakers will include such distinguished names as Molefi Assante, professor and founder of the African American studies department at Temple University, which was the first program to offer Ph.D.s in African American studies. Also speaking at the event will be Delores Aldridge, professor of sociology and African American studies at Emory University and expert on Black history and culture.\nAlso on the agenda are student leadership workshops, Latino speakers and cultural performances such as a step-show, rap performance by "The Spoken Word." The main entertainment event, "A Potpourri of Arts in the African American Tradition," will be presented by the IU African American Arts Institute Friday night.\nEnsembles involved in the show are "well known locally and beyond for presenting dynamic, energetic and inspiring performances to audiences of all ages, occupations, and backgrounds," according to AAAI Web site.\nAn Africana exhibit will be on display at the Neal-Marshall Center for the duration of the event.\n-- Contact staff writer Haley Beck at habeck@indiana.edu.