Luncheon Featuring MSNBC Journalist Touré Highlights Black History Month Festivities at UAlbany

MSNBC journalist Touré has been announced as the keynote speaker for UAlbany’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Campus Center Ballroom. (Graphic courtesy of Bonny Curless)

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 16, 2015) – Television host, cultural critic and author Touré will be featured as the keynote speaker for the University at Albany’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon at noon on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Campus Center Ballroom. The luncheon highlights a series of free UAlbany events commemorating Black History Month.

About Touré: 

Touré is the co-host of “The Cycle” which airs on MSNBC weekdays at 3 p.m. and a columnist for TIME Magazine’s website. He was also a contributor to MSNBC’s “The Dylan Ratigan Show” and the host of Fuse’s “Hip Hop Shop” and “On the Record.”

In 2011, Touré published the book “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? What It Means to Be Black Now” which was named one of the Most Notable Books of 2011 by The New York Times and Washington Post. It was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work of Non-Fiction. He’s authored several other books including: “The Portable Promised Land,” “Soul City,” and “I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon.”

Luncheon Details: 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is sponsored by the Division of Student Success and Office of Intercultural Student Engagement, in cooperation with the Office of the President, Student Association and University Auxiliary Services.

Additional Black History Month Events: 

Also in honor of Black History Month, the University’s Multicultural Resource Center and Campus Programming Board is hosting “Sabali Night” to celebrate traditional West African culture on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Campus Center Recreation Area. Other Black History Month events include:

• Feb. 2 to Feb. 6 – African Heritage Documentary Series, featuring the following films: “Eyes on the Prize,” “Eyes on the Prize II,” “Hidden Colors Part 1, 2 and 3,” “500 Years Later” and “The Garifuna Journey,” Monday – Thursday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Multicultural Resource Center (CC 346)
• Feb. 6 – “Let the Fire Burn” film and discussion with award-winning filmmaker Jason Osder, 7:00 p.m., Page Hall, 135 Western Ave. New York State Writers Institute and Rockefeller College.
• Feb. 8 – “The Two Towns of Jasper” film and discussion, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Campus Center Terrace Lounge. National Coalition Building Institute.
• Feb. 10 – “Your Face in Mine” book reading and discussion, 8:00 p.m., Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, New York State Writers Institute
• Feb. 13 – “Night Catches Us” film and discussion, 7:00 p.m., Page Hall, 135 Western Ave. New York State Writers Institute and Rockefeller College.
• Feb. 24 – WHMT Community Cinema Program presents “American Denial” film and discussion, 6:30 p.m., Campus Center Assembly Hall.

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