Alabama State University News January 23, 2013 Michael Eric Dyson to Speak at Black History Month Convocation Nationally known radio host, professor, author and television analyst, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, will deliver the keynote address at the Black History Month Opening Convocation, the kick-off event for ASU's Black History Month commemoration. Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, is the author of 16 books, including "Holler if You Hear Me, Is Bill Cosby Right?" and" I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King Jr." Dyson also is an analyst on MSNBC. Dr. Dorothy Autrey, chair of ASU's Black History Month committee, said Dyson was chosen to deliver the keynote address because he is, among other things, an exciting speaker. "Dr. Dyson is articulate, intelligent, and he is a dynamic presenter who is able to speak in a discerning way to the relevant issues of our times. His ability to tap into the heart of important national and community concerns classifies him as a kind of modern-day prophet," Autrey said. Autrey also said students will enjoy Dyson because he relates to them. "Dr. Dyson's research on rap music and other matters related to black youth helps many African-American youth to connect to him. Dyson's insightful commentary and relevant message, however, makes him attractive to persons of all ages," Autrey said. The 2013 Black History Month Opening Convocation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. in the auditorium of the Ralph David Abernathy College of Education Building. The program also will include a musical presentation by ASU's gospel choir and a dramatic presentation by students in the Department of History and Political Science. Speakers from past Black History Month Convocations have included the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the Rev. C.T. Vivian, the Rev. Fred Gray, Myrlie Evers-Williams and Dick Gregory. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.