From the UMass Lowell Public Affairs Office:

Celebration Honors Black History Month, Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“A performance by a nationally known poet, a screening of a documentary, a visit to the Black History Trail and a leadership workshop are just some of the events scheduled for the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Social Justice Series, a month-long lineup of events celebrating Black History Month, the work and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and social justice achievements.

“The theme for the series was inspired by the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu,’ which means ‘I am because we are.’ All of the month’s activities were developed around this theme.

“’This concept reminds us that we are all connected, that we cannot be ourselves without community,’ said Jaime Nolan-Andrino, director of UMass Lowell’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, which is coordinating the series. The series includes the following events that are open to the public:

• Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 to 9 p.m. – “Bring Your ‘A’ Game,” a documentary directed by Mario Van Peebles that details strategies that have transformed the lives of successful black men. The film will be followed by a panel discussion.  Location:  Alumni Hall, UML North, 84 University Ave., Lowell.
• Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. – “Voices of Innocence,” a stage performance by John Thompson and Greg Bright, who were both exonerated after being incarcerated in the Louisiana prison system. The men will share their stories, recounting their experiences as innocent men wrongly imprisoned. The event will begin with a performance by the UMass Lowell Gospel Choir. Location: O’Leary Library, Room 222, UML South, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. 
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. – Spoken-word performance by nationally acclaimed slam poet Beau Sia. Opening the performance will be special guests including the UMass Lowell/Middlesex Community College Slam Poetry Team. Location:  O’Leary Library, Room 222, UML South, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. 

For more information on the event series, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs, 978-934-4336.