2008 Noel Professor Al Young will read his poem that he wrote in honor of Rachel Noel, a civil rights leader in Denver and former chair of Metro State’s Department of African American Studies.

The Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Professorship Community Event will be held Monday, February 4, 7-9 p.m., at Shorter AME Church, 3100 Richard Allen Court.

The theme of this year’s event is “Building Civil Rights: Denver Responds…” and features 2008 Noel Professor Al Young, who is California’s poet laureate. Young will read his poem that he wrote in honor of Rachel Noel, a civil rights leader in Denver and former chair of Metro State’s Department of African American Studies. Now in her 80s, Noel lives with her daughter in California. The video, Rachel B. Noel: A Life Shared The Middle Years, will be shown. Also featured will be chorale performances by students from Rachel B. Noel Middle School

Vincent Harding, an elder scholar in the African and African American Studies department will speak on “Metro State Remembers Denver’s Civil Rights Movement.” Harding is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his extensive writings on the freedom movement and religion.

A book signing of Young’s latest published work, Something About the Blues: An Unlikely Collection of Poetry, (Sourcebooks, December 2007) will be held following the program.

It is expected that many noted African American Denver civil rights activists will attend.

For more information, go to www.mscd.edu/news/noel.