Spike Lee among NSU speakers

Norfolk State University is kicking off the school year with a slate of heavy-duty speakers, including film director Spike Lee.

The lectures are part of Norfolk State’s New Lyceum Series and are sponsored by the Honors College and Honors College Discipline-Specific Honors Programs.

All events are scheduled for 7 p.m. in the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center. The presentations are free and open to the public.

Tonight Michelle Alexander, author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.” Alexander holds a joint appointment at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University. Her book explores the impact on society of the higher rates of incarceration among black men.

Monday Spike Lee, actor, director and producer, known for critically acclaimed films such as “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X.” His topic is “Education Is the Key.”

Wednesday Rose Mapendo, a global peace activist, has been recognized for her reconciliation efforts in Rwanda and the Congo and her advocacy of refugee issues. A documentary about Mapendo, “Pushing the Elephant,” will be shown during her presentation.

Sept. 20 Dr. Ian Smith, a national medical and fitness expert, is founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge and contributor to television shows such as “Today” and “Rachael Ray.” His topic is “Shrinking the Gap.”

Call (757) 823-8373 for more information.