Filmmaker Spike Lee to speak at UF as part of Black History Month

January 9, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Spike Lee, award-winning producer, director, writer and actor will speak at 8 p.m. Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center at the University of Florida. His visit is free and open to the public. Lee’s appearance is co-sponsored by ACCENT Speakers Bureau and Black History Month 2006. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Lee has established himself in the past decade as one of Hollywood’s most important and influential filmmakers. Lee’s work is often controversial and motivated by politics. He has produced more than 11 films, including box office hits, “Clockers,” “Do The Right Thing,” “He Got Game,” “Malcolm X” and “Summer of Sam.”

Black History Month began in 1978 at the University of Florida as an ad-hoc committee of the Black Student Union. The emphasis of the celebration is to inspire, entertain, and enlighten all students and community members to issues affecting the black community. Past speakers include Russell Simmons, J.L. King, Bill Russell, Maya Angelou, Queen Latifah, Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, Afeni Shakur, Jasmine Guy and Johnnie Cochran.

For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please contact (352) 392-1663 ext. 302 or (352) 392-3567 (TDD). E-mail accommodate@sg.ufl.edu or contact the Florida Relay System at 1-800-955-8771 at least 72 hours prior to the event. Real Time Transcription will be provided. For more information, call ACCENT at (352) 392-1665 ext.306 or the information line ext. 411, visit the Web site http://www.sg.ufl.edu/accent/ or e-mail ACCENT at accent@sg.ufl.edu.