Published: Feb. 1, 2006

Lectures, gospel concerts and a soul food dinner are among many events scheduled in February for Black Awareness Month at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The CU-Boulder Center for Multicultural Affairs is presenting a series of lectures, including an address by the Rev. Al Sharpton, as well as the 16th annual gospel extravaganza and the 14th annual soul food dinner at various locations and times on campus in February. February is also National Black History Month.

A complete schedule of events, most of which are free and open to the public, is available on the center's Web site at

Some of the month's highlights include:

o Feb. 6 - "Bringin' Down the (Big) House: Queen Latifah, Black Female Sexuality and Why Hollywood (and You) Should Pay Attention," a lecture presented by Michelle Miles of the CU-Boulder Women's Studies Program, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in University Memorial Center room 415.

o Feb. 8 - The Rev. Al Sharpton will present a free public lecture, 7 p.m., Glenn Miller Ballroom inside the UMC, sponsored by the CU-Boulder Cultural Events Board.

o Feb. 9 - "King Dissembled: The Dream's Fate in the Post-Modern Age," a lecture by Eric Love of the CU-Boulder history department, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., UMC room 457. A discussion of modern-day censoring and distortion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s image and message.

o Feb. 12 - 16th annual Gospel Extravaganza, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Glenn Miller Ballroom inside the UMC. The event will feature some of the best gospel choirs from Colorado colleges and several of the finest mass choirs in the Denver metro area.

o Feb. 28 - 14th annual soul food dinner, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kittredge Dining Hall. The soul food dinner features red beans and rice, catfish, fried chicken, greens, ribs, potato salad and much more. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children six to 12 years old, and free for children under five. Contact Derek Wilson at (303) 492-2178 for tickets.

For more information please contact the CU-Boulder Center for Multicultural Affairs at (303) 492-5667.