U of A Faculty, Alumnus to Speak at Benton County Black History Event

From left, professor Lisa Corrigan, Vice Chancellor Charles F. Robinson and alumnus Evin Demirel.

Professor Lisa Corrigan, Vice Chancellor Charles F. Robinson and alumnus Evin Demirel are among the speakers who will present discussion topics as part of a Benton County Black History Month event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

The event will be at Peterson Auditorium in the Shewmaker Center for Global Business, 1 College Drive, Bentonville.

Jon Comstock, former Benton County circuit judge, will moderate the event, which will look at "Race in Arkansas." The schedule includes:

• 9 a.m. — Welcome
• 9:15-9:45 a.m. — Lisa Corrigan, associate professor of communication and director of the Gender Studies Program, will talk about her new book, Prison Power: how Prison Influenced the Movement for Black Liberation.
• 9:45-10:15 a.m. — Raven Cook, an educator at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, will share stories of significant persons in American Black History that will surprise the audience.
• 10:15-10:45 a.m. — Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for student affairs and a professor of history, will provide a discussion about When Affirmative Action Was White, a book by Ira Katznelson.
• 10:45-11:15 — U of A alumnus Evin Demirel will share excerpts from his new book, African-American Athletes
  in Arkansas: Muhammad Ali's Tour, Black Razorbacks & Other Forgotten Stories.
• 11:15-11:45 a.m. — David Solomon will share a historian's perspective on the Elaine Massacre.
• 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Kyle Miller, director of the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, will discuss the role and programs of the Delta Cultural Center.
• 12:30-1 p.m. — James L. Hawkins II will talk with the audience "About That Statue" and other symbols in our culture.