Dr. Ivan Van Sertima will present an address, "Africans in America Before Columbus," Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. A history professor at Rutgers University, Van Sertima is the author of They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America. He is also the founder and editor of The Journal of African Civilizations.
After his address, Van Sertima will participate in a panel discussion, "Cultural Unity and Opportunities for Blacks in the New Millennium." Other panelists are: African scholar Ngiri Ngari, of Kenya; Egyptologist, linguist and author Rkhty Jones; Tuskegee Airman Col. George Watson; and Manalapan High School Principal Terri Grey.
The program is the culminating event in "Afrofest 2003," a month-long series of programs sponsored by United Families of African Descent and the Monmouth County Library. Other programs include: on Feb. 1, 1 p.m., a language workshop, folk music and folklore, modern dance and song, and a poetry reading; on Feb. 8, 1 p.m., theatricals, classical piano music and an African fashion show; and Feb. 15, 1 p.m., an African hair-braiding workshop, and genealogy workshop. All programs are free. Details: (732) 431-7242