From arts to athletics, from academics to politics, the activities scheduled during UTEP’s Black History Month celebration are tied around this year’s theme, “Economic Empowerment.”
The dozen free events on the University campus that begin Saturday, Jan. 30, will showcase the talents and rich, compelling history of the African-American culture. As to this year’s theme, organizers compare the business acumen of today’s leaders such as Oprah Winfrey, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and the late Reginald Lewis to slaves in the 1800s, who learned how to wheel-and-deal to the point where they operated plantations for their owners.
A good example of free enterprise was masterminded by nationally recognized basketball coach and UTEP graduate Nolan Richardson when he brought individuals together to excel at the highest level of athletic achievement when he led the University of Arkansas to the NCAA men’s basketball championship in 1994.
The coach will discuss “If It’s to Be, It’s Up to Me” from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, in the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center.
“Richardson is the quintessential entrepreneur,” said Maceo Dailey, Ph.D., chairman of the African American Studies program. “He exhibited the skills and the tools … the brilliance as an organizer and motivator.”
The other scheduled February lectures, presentations and films will have similar components that focus on the tenacity, vision and the belief in one’s self that have propelled African Americans to the top of their professions, Dailey said.
For a complete list of UTEP’s Black History Month 2010 activities, visit http://www.utep.edu/blackhistorymonth
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