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Elizabeth City State University is launching the Community Connections Performance + Lecture Series designed to bridge the university and community.

“Our mission is to produce cultural experiences which can be enjoyed by students, faculty and staff, as well as the community at large,” ECSU Board of Trustees member Phyllis N. Bosomworth said. Bosomworth provided the funds to launch the series.

Steve Buckingham, award-winning record producer, will kick off the series on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in Room 206 in the Ridley Student Center. He will discuss “How R&B Helped Break the Barriers of Segregation.” The event is free.

Buckingham is a music producer and guitarist whose work has generated at least 20 gold and 12 platinum record albums and earned him four Grammy Awards. He produced records by Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Ricky Van Shelton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Shania Twain, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Garth Brooks and Linda Ronstadt. He is also credited on over 350 albums during his career.

He was vice-president of A&R (artists and repertory) at Columbia Records for 10 years and senior vice president of Vanguard Records and Sugar Hill Records. Later in his career, he became an adjunct instructor of music history at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in Nashville.

“I have heard Steve Buckingham’s talk,” Bosomworth said. “It is interesting and educational.”

The goal is for Community Connections to host at least three events per year which may highlight various areas such as, but not limited to, music, theater, visual arts and motivational speakers.

“There is a group of community members, ECSU employees and ECSU students meeting weekly to establish the program, identify guests and raise additional funds,” Bosomworth said. “We plan to announce the complete series in June.”

Wilmon H. Lee IV, president of the Campus Activities Board, is looking forward to the series and is honored to represent the ECSU student body on the committee.

“Being a part of this committee has given me a difference perspective of the performing arts,” Lee said. “I am privileged to be an essential member in bridging the gap between the campus and the Elizabeth City communities.”

Formerly known as the ECSU Lyceum Series, the mission is revitalized through the newly named Community Connections Performance + Lecture Series, which affords an opportunity for ECSU and the surrounding community to experience local, regional, national and international artists and performers right here in northeastern North Carolina.

Events will be posted on ECSU’s website.

READ ABOUT MORE SCHOOL NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

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