Poet will be observed in black history event

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the Mahoning County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society and the Berry-Williams Historical Society will present a free program in celebration of Black History Month.

“Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Eyes of the Poet” will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. Augustine Church, 614 Parmelee Ave., next to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

The poems, letters and essays of Dunbar, a black writer who was a descendant of slaves, will be discussed.

Dr. Herbert Martin is a professor of English and Poet-in Residence at the University of Dayton. He teaches American and black literature and has authored six books of poetry. Dr. Martin has been associated with the work of Dunbar for more than 20 years.

Funding for the program was made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council with support from the national Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information contact the historical society at 330-743-2589 or visit www.mahoninghistory.org.