African-American cultural programs are being offered at Coastal Carolina University as part of the 2009 African-American Celebration of art, history, music and theater.

All events are free and open to the public. Events continue through April 15 on the University campus and are co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services. For more information call 843-349-2863.

The following events are scheduled:

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Thursday, Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., Wall Auditorium

Join the University in celebrating the struggles and triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr. This campuswide event celebrates unity and diversity. The featured speaker is the Rev. Keith C. Braddy, pastor at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Conway and the Christian Life Center Church of God in Christ in Florence. The program is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities.

1001 Black Inventions

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., Wall Auditorium

Presented by Pinpoints Theatre, "1001 Black Inventions" is a play about the lives of brilliant men and women. The audience is taken into the "Twilight Zone," where a typical American family attempts to survive in a world without inventions created by Africans and African-Americans. Audiences laugh themselves into the realization that black ingenuity is an integral part of our everyday lives.

NAACP Centennial Celebration

Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., Wall Auditorium

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation's oldest civil rights organization, celebrates 100 years of accomplishments in this program that features entertainment and education about the past, present and future.

Black History is American History

Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Wall Auditorium

Various student organizations will come together to celebrate the art, history, music and achievements of African-American culture.

Gospel Sing Out

Sunday, March 8, 4:30 p.m., Wheelwright Auditorium

A celebration of joyous and heartfelt music, this annual event is a community favorite, featuring the voices of the Coastal Carolina University Inspirational Ambassadors and church choirs from surrounding areas.

Our Voice: A Celebration of Black Women in Music

Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m., Wall Auditorium

Current and former cast members of Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera," "Mama Mia," and Disney's "The Festival of the Lion King" join together to perform this collaborative show that takes audience members on a journey through African-American history, aided by the music of African-American women. The show includes songs like "Hoe, Emma, Hoe," a call-and-response song, and "Never Give Up," a song originally performed by one of gospel music's most celebrated contemporary artists, Yolanda Adams.

African-American Poetry

Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m., Wall Auditorium

Enjoy African-American poetry written and read by Coastal Carolina University students, faculty and staff. This event has been very popular in the past and will showcase students and special guest poet "Paul D," whose imagery, word play, concepts and storytelling abilities make him a popular performer. In 2005, he won the Southern Fried Poetry Slams, competing with more than 100 poets in the world's biggest regional slam competition.