“The Struggle for Black Freedom,” a college-wide research symposium inspired by the late Mario A. J. Bennekin, chairman of the history department for Georgia State University’s Perimeter College, will be Feb. 11-13.
The kickoff event will be Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m., on Georgia State’s Clarkston Campus in the Jim Cherry Auditorium, with opening remarks by Dr. Nancy Kropf, dean of Perimeter College.
“ ‘The Struggle for Black Freedom’ symposium serves as a significant remembrance of Mario Bennekin’s academic work in the area of African American studies, said George Vargis, interim department chair of history and political science for Perimeter College. “With a passion for examining Reconstruction and its impact on African Americans after the Civil War, he focused on the work of leaders in the quest for autonomy and equal rights under the law for the black community.”
Programming at the Clarkston Campus includes:
Dr. Joe Bagley, “The Struggle for Black Voting Rights: From Reconstruction to Right Now,” 11 a.m. Bagley is an author and Newton Campus assistant professor of history.
Bagley’s presentation will be followed at 1 p.m. by a performance of “The Order of Freedom,” a one-act play written by Addae Moon of the Atlanta History Center and featuring student performances.
All Clarkston speaking events are in the Jim Cherry auditorium.
Other college presentations include:
“U.S. Reconstruction and Post-Apartheid South Africa”
Dr. Karamo Barrow
Assistant history professor
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2:30 p.m.
Alpharetta Campus, Room AA2200
“Sistagraphy: Then and Now Artists”
An artist discussion with photos depicting the black experience
Susan Ross
Atlanta photographer
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.
Newton Campus, 2-N auditorium.
“Reconstructing Reconstruction”
Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado
Atlanta civil rights historian
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m.
Newton Campus, Building 2-N Auditorium
“Grassroots Garveyism and the Origins of Black Power in the South”
Dr. Mary G. Rolinson
Former Georgia State University history professor
Author and authority on Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m.
Decatur Campus, SF 2100/2101
“The Religion of White Supremacy”
Dr. Will Simson
History professor
Thursday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
Dunwoody Campus, NC-1100
Student poster presentations on "The Struggle for Black Freedom" will be exhibited on most campuses. Find out more about the full schedule of events during the week.
Photo: Atlanta photographer Susan Ross will display photographs and discuss “Sistagraphy: Then and Now Artists” as part of the symposium.