Medical school celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated in February with a public event at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.  The program will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in SIU's South Auditorium, 801 N. Rutledge St.

Jawanza Kunjufu, an educational consultant and author, will present "Taking Back Your Health."  Kunjufu has dedicated his career to addressing the ills afflicting black culture in the United States.  The main thrust of his work has been directed toward improving the education and socialization of black youths.  As founder and president of African American Images, a Chicago-based publishing and training company, he helps educators and parents develop practical solutions to child-rearing problems in what he perceives to be a racist society.  He also mentors boys in the Community of Men organization that he started many years ago.

Kunjufu, a native of Chicago, earned his doctorate degree at Union Graduate School in Cincinnati in 1984, and his bachelor's degree at Illinois State University in 1974.

The program will be followed by a reception, both of which are hosted by SIU's chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).  Idelle Fraser, second-year medical student from San Jose, Calif., is this year's chair for Black History Month.  The group is also organizing several events for medical students.  SNMA is composed of medical and premedical students focused on the needs of minority students across the nation.

For more information, contact Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese, Diversity, Multicultural and Minority Affairs, at 217/545-7334 weekdays.