MEDIA ADVISORY

FEBRUARY 21, 2000FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karissa L. Shivley, (614) 292-8295

FIRST WOMAN LEADER OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY TO DISCUSS "NEW AGE RACISM"

Elaine Brown, an activist and lecturer, will describe her role as former head of the Black Panther Party and her life since the 1960s. The session will focus on the "new" types of racism; experiences with racism as a present-day issue; and the fear that this new type of racism will follow humankind into the next millennium. She will analyze "the nature of oppression in America" and offer some possible solutions.

In 1974, Brown became the first -- and is still the only -- woman to lead the Black Panther Party. Today, as an activist, writer and popular lecturer, Brown says she upholds the original vision of the Panthers, supporting such survival programs as the Free Breakfast for Children Program, Sickle Cell Anemia Testing and free health clinics.

Brown will be available for interviews from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday in the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

WHAT: Elaine Brown will talk about her life as leader of the Blank Panther Party.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23

WHERE: Conference Theatre, the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

WHY: The event, in conjunction with Women's History Month, Feb. 7 though March 12, brings campus and Columbus community members together to celebrate diversity as part of United Black World Month, Jan. 30 through Feb. 29.