Rapper Bernard “Bun B” Freeman and Tara T. Green, distinguished professor and chair of African American Studies at the University of Houston, will host an evening of engaging conversation centered around hip hop, social justice, religion and how it influences Black culture.
The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at Agnes Arnold Hall. Registration is closed.
“Bun B’s life and work in hip hop speaks of Black people’s experiences from a Southern perspective, but his lyrical art also has an ability to move across communities in the U.S., abroad, and from one generation to another,” Green said. “Our audience will be able to hear from him about the long arc of his career, and I look forward to our conversation.”
Green began her tenure as the founding chair and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Distinguished Professor of the Department of African American Studies at UH in August. Her work includes Black feminist studies, Black parent-child relationships and Black activism.
Although UH’s African American Studies program has been around for more than 50 years at the University, it was elevated to degree-granting departmental status in 2021. UH was the first public university in Texas to establish an African American studies program, as a direct response to the civil rights protests of 1969.
Between 2015 to 2021, African American Studies at UH has grown by 88% from 1,620 to 3,045 students. AAS minors increased during the same period by nearly 29%.
WHO: Bernard “Bun B” Freeman and UH African American Studies Chair and Distinguished Professor Tara T. Green
WHAT: An evening of conversation on hip hop, social justice and religion and their influence on Black culture
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Agnes Arnold Auditorium #2, 3553 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (Map)