'Sexism from a Male Perspective' topic

Skidmore's celebration of Black History Month will conclude with a keynote lecture from activist and author Kevin Powell on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Powell's lecture, "Sexism from a Male Perspective," will begin at 7 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium of Palamountain Hall.

	Kevin Powell

Lauded by feminist Gloria Steinem as "a charismatic speaker, leader, and a very good writer," Powell is widely known for his work in areas as diverse as poetry, journalism, hip-hop history, songwriting and music production, public speaking, political consulting, and fundraising. He grew up in Jersey City, N.J., in a disadvantaged single-parent household, attended Rutgers University, and achieved his first measure of fame when he appeared on the inaugural season of the MTV reality-television series The Real World in 1992.

From 1992 to 1996, he wrote about politics and hip-hop music for Vibe magazine; his essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in Newsweek, the Washington Post, Essence, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. Powell has published seven books, including the 2003 Who's Gonna Take the Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America.

An activist since his college days, Powell has led movements against South African apartheid, police brutality, and racial bias, and in support of voting rights. He has lectured on American and black American history, the life of Martin Luther King Jr., and leadership at colleges and universities, community and religious centers, conferences, and corporations. He has hosted and produced programming for HBO and BET and served as guest curator for the Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibition, "Hip-Hop Nation: Roots, Rhymes, and Rage." A resident of Brooklyn, he is the founder and CEO of the multimedia company True York Entertainment.

The event is a collaboration between the Office of Student Diversity Programs and Ujima, the college's African/African-American/Caribbean-American cultural awareness club.