(North Canton, OH – Feb. 8, 2010) – In celebration of Black History Month 2010, Stark State College will host two free, public events.

On Feb. 18 from 6-9 p.m., the College will feature an evening of jazz with the Carson Barnes Quartet performing in the Student Center.  Barnes, a saxophonist, recently returned from an extended stay in Europe, where he recorded a double CD called The Jassman Cometh. Recorded with pickup groups of European musicians, it includes jazz standards such as Sonny Rollins' Oleo, Wayne Shorter's Footprints, two versions of Miles Davis' Four and a couple of Barnes' originals.  The Student Center will be transformed into a “cabaret” atmosphere, offering coffee and desserts for sale as a fundraiser for the Stark State Cultural Diversity Club.  

Former Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White will be the guest speaker at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the College’s Silk Auditorium. He will address the value of diversity in education, government, business and life.  White took a stand against discrimination early in his life. After protesting discriminatory public bus polices in Columbus, he was elected as the first black student body leader at Ohio State University. Cleveland’s longest-serving mayor, he earned up to 80 percent of the vote in predominately white wards. His time in office was marked by his desire to balance downtown development initiatives with an equal concern for the needs of the urban poor, especially youth.

Free, convenient parking is available for both events.