Alcorn State University to celebrate Black History with West African music

Program will feature Jerry Jenkins and his drums

Jerry Jenkins will present a program on West African music at Alcorn State University at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Biotechnology Building Auditorium, on the Lorman Campus.

LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn State University will host a West African music program in recognition of Black History Month at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Biotechnology Building Auditorium, on the Lorman Campus.

The program will feature Jerry Jenkins, a professional drummer, who will offer a historical look at African music and give demonstrations of how the music was played. He also will discuss its value as well as its impact on today’s culture in Southern Mississippi.

Jenkins’ presentation is titled, “A Look at Mande’ (West African) Culture through Traditional Music.”

The event is hosted by the Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning and Alcorn State University School of Arts and Sciences. Teresa Busby, the center’s executive director, said the program is part of the center’s Coffee & Culture series. The presentation is free to the public.

“We are delighted to host Mr. Jenkins at Alcorn State University,” Busby said. She explained that he uses music to tell an important story and to engage his audiences.

Jenkins is originally from Chicago. He grew up in Vicksburg, but now lives in Jackson. Jenkins is a member of the Mississippi Humanities Council’s Speakers Bureau. He also is listed as a performance artist on the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster.

For more information on Jenkin’s presentation, call 601-877-6551. To request disability-related accommodations contact the Disability Coordinator at least five days in advance at 601-877-6460 (office) or email at disabilityservices@alcorn.edu