ORONO – Black History Month is being celebrated in February at the University of Maine with speakers, films and a free Black History Month dinner featuring a nationally known speaker.

The month is designed to provide students and the public with a better insight into the African-American culture and history, and to give thought to issues of racism, according to Jose Cordero, interim director of multicultural programs at UM and the African, Latino, Asian and Native American Center, also known as ALANA.

Events will conclude with a keynote address at the annual Black History Month Dinner by James Wallace, professor of higher education leadership at Eastern Illinois University. Wallace also is coordinator of a unique two-week program that takes participants on an annual national tour of educational institutions listed as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a White House initiative from 1980 designed to strengthen the educational capacity of black colleges and universities.

Wallace will speak on the history of African American higher education in the United States. The dinner and program will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Stodder Commons on the Orono campus. There is no cost to attend the event.

Other events scheduled include the film “Black Indian, An American Story,” to be shown 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the ALANA Center in Hannibal Hamlin Hall. Sponsored by Women in the Curriculum-Women’s Studies and the Wabanaki Center, the film is part of the Circles of Life Series, and narrated by James Earl Jones.

The documentary “Understanding Race” will be offered 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, by Residence Life in an informal setting in the Cumberland Hall lounge.

“‘Understanding Race’ is really going to grab students,” Cordero said.

The Feb. 24 program with Wallace includes poetry and a menu of “popular soul food,” Cordero said. This year will feature a tried-and-true southern staple of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn biscuits and apple pie.

Fried chicken and mashed potatoes may seem like a common staple for many Americans today, but Cordero explained that while everyone probably has enjoyed fried chicken and potatoes over time, many Americans had other options, whereas slaves didn’t.

“It’s the one thing slaves had to eat,” he said. Because of a dearth of other menu options, slaves “were almost forced to eat this.”

Cordero intends to observe Latin Heritage Month in March and Asian Heritage Month in April.

“I think it’s important to highlight history awareness,” he said. “It’s always a topic in need of increased awareness.”

A memorial honoring Coretta Scott King, 1927-2006, was held Feb. 3 on campus.

For information, call Cordero at 581-1425.