North GA Lecture Series Honoring Black History Month Wednesday

DAHLONEGA, GA — As Black History Month nears an end, an expert on spirituality and gender in early African American and women's literature, and African diasporic literatures of the Atlantic world, will deliver a speech to students at the University of North Georgia.

Elizabeth West, professor of African American studies and English at Georgia State University will talk about the topic "From Hip-Hop to Biography: Sampling as a Method of Academic Research" at 6 p.m. Wednesday on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

West's speech is part of the Hoag Lecture Series at UNG, including topics such as climate change, genealogy, and immigration policies.

"The Hoag Lecture Series committee is charged with bringing in speakers who have distinguished themselves in their fields," said Dr. Lauren Oliver, committee chair and assistant professor of biology at UNG. "And we want them to talk about current events and topics important to the area."

The committee has succeeded. Speakers include Ovie Mughelli, former Atlanta Falcons football player and climate activist; Elizabeth West, professor of African American studies and English at Georgia State University; and Nolan Kline, assistant professor of anthropology and co-coordinator of the Global Health Program at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

West will deliver her speech at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the Special Collections Room of the Library on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Her teaching and scholarship focuses on spirituality and gender in early African American and women's literature, and African diasporic literatures of the Atlantic world. Her lecture is tentatively titled "From Hip-Hop to Biography: Sampling as a Method of Academic Research."

Ian Afflerbach, assistant professor of American literature in the English department, said her lecture will explain the unique way she conducts research using genealogy.

"She is an impressive speaker," he said. "And I want the undergraduate students to see someone who has innovative research."

Mughelli rounds out the trio of speakers with his appearance on Earth Day at 6 p.m. April 22 in the Health and Natural Sciences auditorium on the Dahlonega Campus. The title of his talk is "Battling climate change: Empowering the next generation through green superheroes."

Mughelli started a foundation in 2009 bearing his name with the mission to educate and empower youth to save and sustain the environment. He developed sports programs and gaming tools to teach young children and teens about environmental issues and what they can do to help save the planet. His talk is co-sponsored with Climate Month on the Dahlonega Campus.

Oliver said a question-and-answer period will follow each speech to spark discussion.

"Through the series of speakers, I think people can look at current events from multiple perspectives and think about the topics deeply," Oliver said.