Black Heritage Month 1999


Black
Heritage
Month
1999

PHOTOS BY JOE PINEIRO

Organized around the theme of "Urgings from the Spirit," Columbia's Black Heritage Month in February drew in students, alumni, faculty and administrators from the College and other University schools to celebrate African American history and culture. "Black tradition is Columbia tradition," remarked First-Year Dean Corlisse Thomas in her keynote address at the month's January 29 kickoff reception. "In this community, we are in constant reflection and constant celebration of our heritage, and for that I'm grateful."

Expertly orchestrated by the Black Heritage Month Committee, chaired by Jessica Blaine Lee '01, the month's activities included scholarly lectures by such noted speakers as Professor of History Manning Marable, director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies; Harvard professor Cornell West; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist E.R. Shipp, as well as student art exhibits, talent shows, and performances of music, poetry and dance.

At the 14th Annual Black Alumni Reception, held in the Low Library Rotunda on February 22, the Honorable Joseph A. Greenaway, Jr. '78, a judge in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, introduced keynote speaker Eric H. Holder '73, '76 Law. Holder, deputy attorney general of the United States, stressed the importance of taking responsibility and having positive role models for African Americans. "A person who can teach a child to read is infinitely more valuable than a person who can make a jump-shot," said Holder, who received the Alumni of Color Outreach Program Heritage Award at the reception.

At the same ceremony, Sonia Reese received the Black Heritage Award for her contributions to the Morningside Heights neighborhood as director of Columbia's Community Impact program.


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At the Black Alumni Reception Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder '73 was greeted by the Hon. Joseph A. Greenaway, Jr. '78 (left); Black Heritage Award winner Sonia Reese shares the honor with her family (below); Reese with Jessica Blaine Lee '01, chair of Black Heritage Month (right) 3127-33c
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Dance was a central theme of Black Heritage Month's kickoff reception on January 29 in Low Library. Chloe Arnold '02 (above) improvised "Changes" while the A Time to Dance troupe (below) lyrically choreographed performance closed the reception.
3127-33e Holder with Alumni Association vice president Fernando Ortiz, Jr. '79; and
Holder with University President George Rupp.
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