BUFFALO, NY - Canisius University presents “Moving Forward and Setting the World on Fire,” an education, health and economic empowerment summit on Thursday, February 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Zion Dominion Global Ministries, located at 895 North Forest Road in Williamsville. Motivational speaker Ona Brown will take the stage at 10:00 a.m. followed by award-winning actress and keynote speaker Aunjanue Ellis. The event is sponsored by the college’s Academic Talent Search Program, and is free and open to the public.
Aunjanue Ellis currently stars in the new television mini-series “The Book of Negroes,” which airs on BET (Black Entertainment Television). Based on the award-winning novel by Lawrence Hill, “The Book of Negroes” tells the story of Aminata Diallo (Ellis) after her capture and the pain she endured as part of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Ellis stars alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr. in the mini-series.
“The Book of Negroes” is the latest in Ellis’ extensive television, film and Broadway career. She played the role of Yule May Davis in the award-winning film “The Help.” Ellis’ role as Jo Brashear in “Men of Honor” earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination in the category of outstanding supporting actress. On television, Ellis appeared in recurring roles on “The Mentalist,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “True Blood.”
Raised in Mississippi, Ellis attended Tougaloo College before transferring to Brown University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in African American studies. She went on to study acting in the graduate acting program at New York University.
Ona Brown is an expert in personal and professional transformation, and travels internationally to deliver clear solutions for successful living. She has more than 15 years of professional experience and research in the human development industry, which she shares via her consulting, coaching and training firm World Impact Now (W.I.N.).
“Moving Forward and Setting the World on Fire” is sponsored by the Canisius University Academic Talent Search Program, along with support from Zion Dominion Global Ministries, General Motors, General Mills, the DuPont Yerkes Plant, McKinley High School and the United Auto Workers (UAW).
The Academic Talent Search (ATS) program (ATS) is one of five federally-funded TRIO programs established under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Academic Talent Search of Canisius University serves approximately 600 youth recruited from area schools and community service organizations each year. The program provides students with educational, social and career support services to increase the possibility of participants becoming enrolled in postsecondary institutions.
For more information on Academic Talent Search, contact Canisius at 716-888-3280.
For more information on the Black History Month event, contact the Public Relations Office at Canisius University at 716-888-2790.
Canisius is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
