Black Media Symposium Coming Spring Semester 2009 The purpose of the Black Media Symposium (BMS) is to educate and promote discussion of African-American contributions to the media. During a week long series of events, speakers, panelists, guests and University students and faculty will participate in discusssions focused on the content, production, and utilization media by and about the Black community. Speakers come from all different backgrounds - as feminist, Black militant activists, film producers, journalists, novelists, editors, politicians, general scholars in Black media, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered community, and as young artists. Our speakers are of different racial and cultural backgrounds and who can all speak critically about the subject at hand. We hope this inclusive selection of perspectives encourages lively discussion throughout the week about the media, its role in society and its impact on the Black community. In addition, we hope to bring to the forefront perspectives that have been underrepresented in the mass media in recent years. We hope you join us for this pioneering event!