The fascinating history of the Negro Baseball Leagues will be the subject of a presentation on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in Wall Auditorium. Filmmaker Byron Motley will present “The Negro Baseball Leagues: An American Legacy,” a talk that will include film clips and interviews from a documentary he produced.

Motley was inspired create the lecture during the making of his television documentary, “Oh How They Lived-Stories of the Negro Leagues.” His father, Bob Motley, was an umpire in the leagues for several years.

In addition to being a filmmaker, Motley is a singer, actor and photographer. He has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra and was recipient of the Wavendon Allmusic New Singing Talent of the Year award in London. He earned a bachelor’s degree from William Jewell College and a master's degree in music from the University of Southern California.

The presentation is part of Coastal’s annual African American Celebration, a series of events designed to highlight the art, history, music and theater of the African American culture. Other events are scheduled through the 2006 spring semester.

For more information, contact the university’s Office of Multicultural Student Services at 349-2863. .