June 2, 2016

Black Cultural Center to host 'Purple Punch Reception' June 7 to celebrate Prince's birthday

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will host a "Purple Punch Reception," a celebration in honor of Prince's 58th birthday, at 5 p.m. Tuesday (June 7). It is free and open to the public.

Prince, who died April 21, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence and wide vocal range. Attendees will be able to reflect on Prince, his legacy and listen to his music, said BCC director Renee Thomas.

Thomas said Purdue alumna Kimberly Ellis, owner of Fierce Star Media, a transmedia, publishing and management agency, will present an original poem in tribute to Prince. Zaheer Ali, a Prince scholar and historian who serves as an adjunct instructor at New York University, also will speak.

Ellis and Ali are on campus as part of the Summer 2016 National Endowment for the Humanities/Office of Digital Humanities' Institute for Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanities, titled "Space & Place in African/Black Studies:  Institute on Spatial Humanities Theories, Methods and Practice for Africana Studies." The institute is directed by Kim Gallon, an assistant professor of history, and Angel David Nieves, associate professor of Africana Studies and co-director of the Digital Humanities Initiative at Hamilton College.

News Service contact: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, 765-494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

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