University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN’s Oviatt Library Observes Black History Month with Exhibit
Exploring History of African American Experience

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Feb. 6, 2007) — Cal State Northridge’s Oviatt Library is commemorating Black History Month, February, by highlighting faces and stories that have contributed to the African American experience.

The exhibition includes photographs documenting the civil rights movement, a look at the role black women have played in Los Angeles and a celebration of CSUN African-American student art and poetry.

"This exhibition not only highlights the history of the black experience in America, but opens the door to a variety of the library’s excellent holdings for student research projects through its archival collections, book collection and database resources," said head archivist Robert Marshall. "It is hoped that the exhibit will stir more interest from our students, and the public, to learn more about the local and national events which helped shape our nation."

The Black History Month exhibition will be on display through March 2 in the main lobby of the Oviatt Library in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The show includes a look at the civil rights movement as seen through the camera lens of John A. Kouns. His photographs include images from the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, the Selma to Montgomery, Ala., march and the March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. that ended with the "I Have a Dream Speech" by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The role of black women in Los Angeles’ educational history is also explored with a look at the Angel City Chapter of LINKS, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping young African Americans achieve educational success.

A West African Krio axiom proclaims that "words have no feet but they travel far." That statement highlights an exhibit marking the 20th edition of Kapu-Sens: The Pan-African Studies Literary Review. Each publication showcases the poetry, short stories and critical essays of Cal State Northridge students.

Another piece in the exhibition explores black history through the University Library’s Internet sources. A major focus is the influential black newspaper, The Chicago Defender..

The exhibition is available for public viewing during library hours: Monday through Thursday, from 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.