Angelou, who has composed poems for national and international leaders including U.S. President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to present a poignant speech relating to the campaign s theme and the president s anniversary. Also, the winner of a student poetry contest will receive his or her award on stage with Angelou. Hampton University students may enter one poem into the contest, compete for monetary awards and the chance to read their poem on stage at the event. The poems must relate to the campaign s theme. The poetry contest is open only to currently enrolled Hampton University students.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The kickoff celebration will culminate with a black tie dinner-dance Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Hampton Coliseum. The Count Basie Orchestra will provide musical entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Hampton University Scholarship Fund. Together these will undergird capital expansion, enrichments in academic and administrative programs and campus-wide improvements in technology and scientific instrumentation. Unique opportunities exist for donors to recognize loved ones or be recognized for their life s work.