This year will mark 400 years since the beginning of the slave trade in the Americas, the 50^thanniversary of the Willard Straight Occupation at Cornell and so many other important dates in the history of the black liberation movement.  This two-day symposium commemorates the 50^thanniversary of the Willard Straight Occupation and honors the legacy of James Turner, the founding director of the Africana Studies and Research Center.  Our goal is to reflect on his impact in shaping the black student movement and activism.  Join us for this monumental event, which launches our yearlong series of events on the road to Africana@50 next spring.

The events are free and open to the public but we ask that attendees register and RSVP for the event.  

Day 1 - April 12th

2:30PM  Welcoming Reception

3:00PM  Experiences in Working with Professor James Turner Panel

4:30PM  Screening of Film and Video Interviews with Professor Turner

5:00PM  Experience in Working with Professor Turner as a Student Panel

6:45PM  Cocktail Hour followed by Dinner Buffet

Day 2 - April 13th

11:00AM  Professor Turner’s Impact on Student Activism Panel

12:15PM  Tour of Africana Center & John Henrik Clarke Library

12:30PM  Lunch

1:45PM  Keynote address by John Bracey, Professor, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

3:30PM  James Turner:  The Vision of Africana, Leadership Legacy, and Reflections from Colleagues

4:45PM  Tributes from the Turner Family

5:30PM  Closing Ceremony

5:30PM  Cocktail Hour followed by Dinner Buffet 

RSVP for the dinner ceremony that culminates the two-day symposium require advance reservations.

Contact ASRC Events Coordinator Donna Pinnisi dlp254@cornell.edu