UNCA will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a range of cultural programs. Among the highlights will be a keynote address by educational psychologist Julia Hare and a performance by the critically-acclaimed Regina Carter Quintet. Events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

Hare, founder and executive director of the Black Think Tank, is a widely sought after motivational and educational speaker on Black family issues. She is co-author of "The Endangered Black Family," "Bring the Black Boy to Manhood" and "Crisis in Black Sexual Politics." Together with her husband, she originated the journal "Black Male/Female Relationships." She will speak at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Lipinsky Auditorium.

Regina Carter, one of today’s most exciting and original jazz violinists, will perform at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Carter will be joined by sizzling Cuban percussionist Mayra Caseles, solid drummer Alvester Garnett, versatile German pianist Werner Gierig and sturdy bassist Chris Lightcap. Tickets for the performances are $18 general admission. Tickets are available 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays at the UNCA Ticket Office, Highsmith Center room 27, and may be charged by phone by calling 828/251-6584 during the hours listed above. Tickets are also available at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville.

Other events include:

-- An African drum circle, featuring Terry Edgerton, will entertain the audience at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Reed Plaza, directly in front of the Dining Hall.

-- A screening and discussion of "Allah Tantou" will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, in the Private Dining Room of the Dining Hall. The film, which explores social justice and human rights issues in Africa, will be facilitated by UNCA’s Africana Studies Program Director Elmoiz Abunura.

-- African American storyteller E.J. Stewart will captivate her listeners at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the Highsmith Center Lounge. Stewart, a member of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers, has several original stories included in the book "Jump Up and Say: A Collection of Black Storytelling."

-- A screening and discussion of "Freedom Bags" will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Private Dining Room of the Dining Hall. The film explores African American women’s immigration to major cities from the rural South as a prelude to the Civil Rights Movement. UNCA Assistant Sociology Professor Afaf Omer will lead the discussion.

-- "Human Rights Issues in the African American Civil Rights Movement" will be addressed by a panel discussion at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Humanities Lecture Hall. The panel will feature Lewis Gordon of Brown University, Lucius Outlaw from Haverford University, Cynthia Willet from Emory University with Brian Butler and Dwight Mullen from UNCA.

-- Internationally acclaimed Les Percussions de Guinea will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, in Lipinsky Auditorium. This 15-member ensemble from the Republic of Guinea is made up of the finest percussionists, musicians and dancers from this West African nation. Tickets are $12 general admission at the door.

-- Talented blues musician K.J. James will perform at 9 p.m. in the Highsmith Center Lounge.

-- Harambee, a traditional roundtable discussion, will explore "Africanisms in Haitian Culture: The Voodoo Religion" at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the private dining room of the Dining Hall. UNCA graduate Amber Munger will facilitate the discussion.

-- Actors from 7 A.M. Productions will perform "Perfect Love," a play which takes a look at Black love and relationships, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Highsmith Center Lounge.

-- During the Black Alumni Forum, Gerard Moses (class of ‘95) and Zollie Stevenson (class of ‘75) will share the similarities and differences of their experiences at Black UNCA Student Government Association presidents. The talk will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 in the Highsmith Center room 18.

-- A screening and discussion of "7 Songs for Malcolm X" will held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Private Dining Room of the Dining Hall. Discussion will be facilitated by UNCA student Andrew Hainsworth.

-- Ashra Kwesi, a historian and lecturer on ancient African civilization and religion, will present a dynamic and inspirational slide presentation based on his extensive study and travel on the African continent. Kwesi will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Lipinsky Auditorium.

-- Merira Kwesi will present an insightful program at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in the Highsmith Center Lounge. This discussion will focus on contemporary symbolism and cultural practices that developed in Africa, as well as female personalities that played an integral role in Black history.

Throughout the month an exhibition of African artifacts from the personal collection of John Rohner will be on view in the Blowers Gallery, located on the first floor of Ramsey Library.

For more information, contact Octavia Wright, UNCA Multicultural Student Programs Coordinator, at 828/251-6671.