Local artist Bing Davis and University of Dayton alumnus Jack Marchbanks will hold a conversation on creativity, Black excellence and the civil rights movement at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Sears Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.
The duo will share stories from their experiences in the Black cultural arts movement and ways jazz, poetry and visual arts have contributed to movements for social justice, self-determination and cultural recognition.
Marchbanks is the author of Art and Activism: Jazz Artists and Writers in the Civil Rights Vanguard and a host of "Jazz Sunday" on WCBE radio since 2007. He also served the Ohio Department of Transportation for more than 20 years, including as director. Marchbanks received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Dayton, a master’s in political science from Clark-Atlanta University, an MBA from Xavier University and a Ph.D. from Ohio University.
A prominent figure in the art world through solo exhibitions from Harlem to Ghana and beyond, Davis served on the faculty at Central State University for 20 years, directing the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center. He also was an artist-in-residence at the University of Dayton and Wright State University. President of the board of directors of the National Conference of Artists, Davis has received the Ohio Art Educator of the Year Award.
Tiffany Taylor, University of Dayton vice president for diversity and inclusion, is the host of the event, with support from the UD College of Arts and Sciences dean's office, UD's Multi-ethnic Education and Engagement Center, the UD Human Rights Center, and UD's race and ethnic studies program.
For more information, please contact Miranda Hallett, director of UD's interdisciplinary studies programs, at mhallett1@udayton.edu.
For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, UD associate director for news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.