BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University is celebrating Black History Month in February with various events.
On Thursday, February 9, the college's ALANA Student Center hosted the Hon. Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, assemblywoman for NY State's 141st district, along with Rev. Mark E. Blue, president of Buffalo's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Peoples-Stokes and Father Blue discussed the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Award-winning journalist Sandy White, from the Cansius Class of 1977, served as the guest moderator for the event and local gospel singer Bessie Patterson performed. The event was held in conjunction with ALANA's Soup with Substance program.
On Thursday, February 16, hundreds of students from the Buffalo Public School District will hear from inspirational speakers Munson Steed and Jacob Latimore, as part of the Canisius University Academic Talent Search (ATS) Program's annual Black History Month celebration. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Dominion Global Ministries, 895 North Forest Rd. The program is free and open to the public. The event is made possible by presenting sponsor General Motors and lead sponsor General Mills.
The theme of this year’s program is “Images of Greatness, Be the Best of Your Generation.” Throughout the day, ATS will host workshops and various community organizations will offer informational stations on educational and career opportunities, financial literacy and mental health.
Munson Steed, CEO of Steed Media Group and children’s book author, and Jacob Latimore, a singer and actor, will serve as the guest speakers.
Steed is a prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker and artist. As CEO of Steed Media Group Inc., Steed steered his publication, Rolling Out, into national prominence as the largest African American weekly paper in the nation.
Steed released Little Professor Skye: Favorite Things, the first in a series of children’s books that target young girls of color and encourages them to be whatever they want. By following a day in the life of a young girl, the book provides an opening for parents and educators to engage budding readers in a discussion about the many wonders and gifts of science, technology, mathematics and engineering by engaging in the world around them.
Jacob Latimore is a talented young recording artist whose 2006 single “Superstar” landed a spot on the Billboard R&B and Hip Hop charts. In June 2014, he released his hit song “Heartbreak Heard around the World” featuring t-Pain. Latimore released his debut album, “Connection,” December 2016. It includes songs such as “The Real” featuring Milwaukee Rapper IshDARR.
Latimore has co-starred in several major films including “Black Nativity” (2013) as Langston and “Ride Along” (2014) as Ramon. He also appeared in the movie “The Maze Runner,” which was released in theaters in fall 2014. He later starred in the drama film “Collateral Beauty,” which was released in December 2016. Latimore appears in the upcoming science fiction drama “Sleight,” which is scheduled for release April 1, 2017.
The Academic Talent Search Program of Canisius University is one of five federally funded Trio programs established under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. ATS serves approximately 600 youths recruited from area schools and community service organizations. The program provides educational, social and career support services, as well as co-curricular and cultural enrichment experiences. The Canisius University ATS Program is proud to host inspirational role models who bring inspiring messages to the young people of Buffalo and encourage them to pursue their own dreams and goals.
For more information, contact the Academic Talent Search Program at Canisius University at (716) 888-3280.
Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
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