VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Advertising icon Tom Burrell's understanding that "black people are not dark-skinned white people" revolutionized marketing. By tapping into the purchasing power of the African-American community, he brought attention to the media's role in prolonging racism and race-based self-esteem issues. Burrell will discuss mass media stereotypes at the 10th Annual VCU Libraries Black History Month Lecture.

"Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority" takes place Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons. A reception will follow.

The lecture is part of a month-long series of events commemorating Black History Month at VCU this year.

An American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame member, Burrell has worked to eradicate negative race-based conditioning. In 2007, he established the Brainwash Resolution Project, which challenges ongoing mass media stereotypes and centuries of negative societal and media messaging.

The free event is sponsored by VCU Libraries, the Friends of the Library and the Francis M. Foster African-American History Endowment Fund. All are welcome, but seating is limited and registration is required at http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/01/feb-22-advertising-leader-to-d.html.

Black History Month activities kick off with an Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. in the University Student Commons, Suite 215. OMSA has events planned all month, including a bus trip to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C, on Saturday, Feb. 18, and the "Entrepreneur in You,” a learning session for students who want to start their own businesses, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Commons, Virginia Rooms. For the complete list of OMSA activities, visit http://www.omsa.vcu.edu/.

The School of World Studies commemorates Black History Month with "Overcoming Fundamentalisms in a World in Transition: Lessons from South Africa" featuring South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 3 p.m. in the Commons Theater.

Rasool has a long history of involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle starting in high school and including leadership in the United Democratic Front and the African National Congress. He has spent time in prison and under house arrest. His social and political involvement has consistently been faith-driven. He has been involved in the Islamic and Interfaith movements, and has been active in mobilizing Muslims and the broader faith communities for a deeper understanding of Islam and faith under conditions of oppression.

The event is free and open to the public. Contact 827-1232 or cabrooks@vcu.edu for more information.

VCU Dance presents Brenda Dixon Gottschild for a lecture and book signing of her latest book, "Joan Myers Brown and the Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina," on Friday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Grace Street Theater.

Professor Emerita of dance studies at Temple University, Gottschild is the author of numerous books on the history and significance of the African American presence in modern dance and American performance. Brown, founder of The Philadelphia Dance Co. and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, has made significant contributions to the national and international arts communities.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 804-828-2020 or email lemarshall@vcu.edu.

Also this month, the VCU Health System joins Richmond area radio stations Kiss 99.3 & 105.7 FM in sponsoring a benefit concert for sickle cell research and the Activities Programming Board presents two films honoring black history.

The concert features jazz guitarist and singer Chuck Brown, also known as the “Godfather of Go-go,” on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Hat Factory, 140 Virginia St. Tickets for the concert are $25 in advance - $20 for a limited number of VCU Health System employees and Kiss Cash Card Holders – and $30 at the door. They are available at the Hat Factory Box office and online at http://www.hatfactoryva.com/. All proceeds will benefit the Florence Neal Cooper-Smith Initiative for Sickle Cell Research.

APB will screen "The Wiz" on Friday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 9:30 p.m. "Jimi Hendrix" will screen on Feb. 17 at 9:30 p.m. and on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Both screenings take place at the Commons Theater.

"The Wiz" is the now-classic 1978 film based on the classic "The Wizard of Oz" starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Richard Pryor. The documentary "Jimi Hendrix" includes concert footage and commentary from musicians influenced by Hendrix, such as Pete Townsend, Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. Both films are free and open to all.