The University of South Florida holds a series of Black Emphasis Month events throughout February. This week's scholarly and entertaining schedule of offerings include "Making a Successful Impression," a talk about first impressions by etiquette consultant Tia Young (7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 15, Marshall Center East View); the Eighth Annual Gospel Explosion concert, which is presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (6 p.m. Sun., Feb. 17, Cooper Hall 103); "Blacks in Politics," a NAACP@USF-hosted lecture that will surely touch upon such notables as Barack Obama, William L. Dawson, Constance Baker Motley and Rev. Jesse Jackson (5 p.m. Tues., Feb. 19, Marshall Center 132); and "Recognizing and Evaluating Diversity Within the Black Community," a presentation by USF's Institute on Black Life and Department of Africana Studies (7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 19, Marshall Center Presidents Dining Room).
The highlight is an interactive Wednesday evening performance by Step Afrika! Dance Troupe. The Washington D.C.-based company was founded in 1994 by Brian Williams as a way to keep step dancing as an African tradition alive while using it as an educational tool to promote teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding at various schools and colleges around the world. The USF show spotlights fraternity and sorority stepping styles, the gumboot dance and the South-African Zulu dance. Attendees are encouraged participate in a short how-to step workshop that occurs midshow. (7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 20, Campus Recreation Center, Upper Gym).
Black Emphasis Month Events, through Feb. 29, USF-Tampa, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-974-5111, free admission, ctr.usf.edu/multicultural.
This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2008.