Author and cultural historian Mary Helen Washington focuses on this decade of marginalized African American history – filled with Cold War intrigue and repressive government spying, yet an important precursor to the 1960s Civil Rights movement.

Washington visits ��ݮ���� Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 to discuss her new book, (Columbia University Press). The Thursday evening lecture is 7 p.m. in the seminary’s Martin Chapel. Washington will also offer “Reflections on the Journey” Friday at 10 a.m. chapel in Lehman Auditorium.

Washington’s research included extensive investigation of FBI files, first-person interviews, and archival material. The book features six relatively obscure authors and artists from the Black Popular Front, selected to show a range of political influence: novelists Lloyd L. Brown, Frank London Brown and Julian Mayfield; graphic artist Charles White; playwright Alice Childress; and poet and novelist Gwendolyn Brooks.

Since earning her doctorate at the University of Detroit in 1976, Washington has taught at Mills College, University of Massachusetts-Boston, UCLA, Harvard Divinity School, Wellesley College, and St. John College of Cleveland. She now teaches African American literature, film and culture at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland. A past president of the American Studies Association, she has been awarded five honorary doctorates and several prestigious fellowships.

The Other Blacklist is her first book. She is editor of Black-Eyed Susans: Classic Stories by Black Women Writers; Midnight Birds: Stories of Contemporary Black Women Writers; Invented Lives: Narratives of Black Women; and Memory of Kin: Stories of Family by Black Writers.

Joanne Bland, a sought-after speaker with a compelling personal story of civil rights activism, will give a public lecture 7 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 15, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

Bland is co-founder and director of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Ala., where she works to promote civil and human rights and in particular seeks to increase voter awareness.

During her lifetime, she has been a witness and participant in some of the nation’s most consequential civil rights battles. She began her civil rights activism in 1961 as an eight-year-old attending a freedom and voters’ rights meeting led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The young Bland marched on "Bloody Sunday" and "Turn Around Tuesday," witnessing brutal beatings, shooting and hosing of fellow marchers by police. Only 11 years old at the time, she was the youngest person to have been jailed in these demonstrations.

She continues to be active in local and regional organizations devoted to expanding and securing civil and human rights.

The event is sponsored by the JMU Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence, JMU School of Art & Art History, EMU’s graduate Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and EMU Peace Fellowship, a student organization.

Admission to the presentation is free. For more information, contact Janie Beuthin, 540-432-4979.

A 1987 EMU graduate who is pastor of a growing, multi-ethnic congregation in Philadelphia will be on campus Jan. 18-23 to interact with students and faculty as well as to be a resource speaker for Martin Luther King Jr. observances.

Leonard M. Dow, pastor of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, will speak in university chapel 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, on the theme, “The Dangerous Call of the Gospel,” based on I Cor. 1:18-25. He plans to reflect on the need for Christian love to be the motivating force for one’s actions that many in the world won’t understand, citing the Apostle Paul and the late Dr. King as examples of “a willingness to be fools for Christ.” The multicultural services praise team will lead the worship service.

Dow will speak at a community worship service 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building. He will speak on the theme, “Afraid Yet Filled With Joy” from Matt. 28:8.

The EMU alumnus will reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. at the weekly “celebration” program 9 p.m. Sunday, also in Martin Chapel.

Dow will reflect on the civil rights leader’s life and legacy 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21 in the Campus Center Greeting Hall. He will speak on “A Clear and Present Danger.” The event is open to everyone.

While on campus, Dow will visit classes and interact with multicultural services personnel, the Black Student Union and other campus organizations and student athletes.

Dow, a former banker, joined Oxford Circle Mennonite Church in 1990 and grew into leadership roles there. He was called to pastor there in 1998. He also works with Mennonite Central Committee East Coast in relating to Philadelphia area Mennonite churches.

During his college years, Dow was a basketball standout as a forward for the EMU Royals. He was named to the All-ODAC first team 1983-86, was ODAC Player of the Year in 1985 and holds the all-time men’s scoring record with 2,192 points and all-time leading rebound record with 1,102.

Dow’s wife, Rosalie Rolon-Dow, also a 1987 alumna, is a former member of the EMU board of trustees. She is an associate professor of education at the University of Delaware.

All events are open to the public. For more information, contact EMU’s multicultural services office, 540-432-4458.

For the twelfth year, visitors from dozens of nations gathered on a May morning at EMU to begin sharing their efforts toward peace.

The 2007 , a program of EMU