Purdue News

August 31, 2001 Black Cultural Center welcomes new artists-in-residence WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three new artists-in-residence will direct performing arts ensembles this year at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center. Geoffrey Kelsaw will serve as director for Black Voices of Inspiration, Kimberly Ransom as writer-in-residence for the Haraka Writers and Richard Gogoua will serve a month-long appointment in September with the Jahari Dance Troupe. They join Carl Barnett, who is returning as artist-in-residence for the Black Cultural Center's theatrical group, New Directional Players. Kelsaw has 20 years of experience in choral directing, including work with community groups, public and private schools, churches, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra. He currently directs the music department for Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Past experience includes serving 10 years as director of Taylor University Gospel Choir in Upland and Fort Wayne, Ind. Ransom is completing a master of arts in English literature from DePaul University in Chicago. She is the author of a collection of poems called, "The Black House: ransomnotes (from the kitchen to the closet)." Ransom serves as program co-director of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for undergraduate programs at Columbia College in Chicago. She also continues to partner with many non-for-profit organizations and schools in Chicago as an activist for inner-city youth. Ransom has read her poetry at many venues in the Chicago area and around the country, including Northwestern University, Bradley University and DuSable Museum of African American History. A professional dancer for 16 years, Richard Gogoua received training from the Ballet National de Cote d'Ivoire and Lycee Moderne de Bongouanou in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. He has worked and performed with several troupes, including Le Black Show, directed by Kouame Pascal; Les Guirivoires, directed by Rose-Marie Guiruad; Les Ziglibitiens of Ernesto Djedje and Liesse Culturelle de Cote d'Ivoire, directed by Koffi Ignace. Gogoua also is founder, director and choreographer for Ahize Mona (Our Joy), a cultural dance troupe of Cote d'Ivoire based in Indianapolis. Gogoua will instruct the Jahari Dance Troupe in dance of Cote d'Ivoire in September with a showcase performance at 3 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Black Cultural Center. CONTACT: Olateju Omolodun, Black Cultural Center assistant director, (765) 494-3095, osomolodun@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page