The rich heritage of African-American culture will be celebrated during February's Black History Month with lectures, performances and exhibits throughout campus.

In 1926 African-American scholar Carter Godwin Woodson began what was then called Negro History Week in an effort to dispel the belief that black Americans had not contributed to the nation's academic and social growth.

As awareness of African-American contributions grew, Negro History Week expanded into what is now Black History Month, which is recognized both nationally and internationally.

The month of February is significant because it is the birth month of African-American pioneers and institutions such as Frederick Douglass, Langston Hughes and the NAACP.

Though it includes just 28 days of celebration, Black History Month serves to reaffirm, throughout the year, the struggle and determination of the African-American people.

A listing of campus events follows.

• Wed/5 Vice Chancellor Mitchell Lecture Series (BSFO), 3 p.m., location to be announced, 643-5308.

• Thurs/6 Opening Celebration for African/African-American Heritage Month (I-House), art, literature and food, free, time to be announced, auditorium, International House.

• Thurs/6 An Evening With Kamau Brathwaite (African American Studies), 7 p.m. 2050 Valley Life Sciences Building.

• Sat/8 African Skies: A Planetarium Show (LHS), $2 after museum admission, 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Sun/9 Medicine Man: A Live Performance by the Oakland Ensemble Theater (LHS), free with museum admission, 1 and 2 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Sun/9 African Skies: A Planetarium Show (LHS), $2 after museum admission, 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Wed/12 Vice Chancellor Mitchell Lecture Series (BSFO), 3 p.m., location to be announced, 643-5308.

• Wed/12 Heart Healthy African-American Cooking With Executive Chef Stefan Short (BSFO), 4 p.m., Tang, registration required, 643-7754.

• Thurs/13 Conflict Resolution in Africa (I-House), Ernest Uwazie, Cal State Sacramento, $2, 7:30 p.m., International House.

• Mon/17 Medicine Man: A Live Performance by the Oakland Ensemble Theatre (LHS), free with museum admission, 1 and 2 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Wed/19 An Evening With Terry McMillan (African American Studies), 7:30 p.m., location to be announced, 643-0734.

• Wed/19 Movie: BSFO Presents...(BSFO), noon, YWCA, corner of Bancroft Way and Bowditch St.

• Wed/19 Vice Chancellor Mitchell Lecture Series (BSFO), 3 p.m., location to be announced, 643-5308.

• Fri/21 Faculty and Administrators Reading: Norton Anthology of African American Literature (BSFO), 4 p.m., Morrison Room, Main Library.

• Sat/22 African Skies: A Planetarium Show (LHS), $2 after museum admission, 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Sun/23 African Skies: A Planetarium Show (LHS), $2 after museum admission, 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Sun/23 Young Researchers Exploring Black Scientists: A Student Presentation (LHS), free with museum admission, 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

• Wed/26 Vice Chancellor Mitchell Lecture Series (BSFO), 3 p.m., location to be announced, 643-5308.

• Thurs/27 African/African-American Heritage Banquet (I-House), all-you-can-eat soul food, $6, 5:30 p.m., dining commons, International House.

• Thurs/27 Gospel Extravaganza (I-House), $2, 8 p.m., auditorium, International House.