Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard will speak tonight on “Black Voices from the Past, Present and Future.”

Woodard’s address is a highlight of Black History Month. It will focus on how African-Americans have been portrayed by the mass media in the past and whether that portrayal will change in the 21st century.

Senior James Jones, treasurer of the Black Student Alliance, said, “It’s time for a change in how African-Americans are viewed in the media.”

Woodard has first-hand knowledge of the roles for African-Americans in television, movies and theater. She most recently starred in the film Down in the Delta with Wesley Snipes.

Her role in the HBO mini-series “Miss Evers’ Boys” earned Woodward a Golden Globe Award, A Cable ACE Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and her third Emmy Award.

Her other two Emmys came from appearances on “Hill Street Blues” and “L.A. Law.”

Her theater credits include Me and Bessie on Broadway and her most recent play, a Los Angeles production of Love Letters.

The speech is at 7 p.m. in the St. Louis Room of the Busch Memorial Center.

Woodard’s address is sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, the Great Issues Committee and the Student Development Formation Team. Admission is free.

Four other BSA events will take place in February. African Awareness Day is Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Busch Memorial Center Student Commons. African art, jewelry and books will be displayed. Some items will be for sale.

A Raisin in the Sun, a 1961 film starring Sidney Poitier, will be shown in Kelley Auditorium on Monday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.

“It’s an older movie that displays a lot of stereotypes associated with African-American culture,” said David Clark, assistant director of the Office of Student Life. A discussion will follow the movie.

Students are invited to the Billiken Club in BMC on Wednesday, Feb. 23 to participate in “Poetry Night: An Evening of Reflection and Creativity.” The evening of poetry, interpretive dance and song will last from 7 to 10 p.m.

BSA will wrap up its Black History Month with an awards banquet on Sunday, Feb. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the St. Louis Room of BMC. The banquet will honor students, faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves with their involvement in African-American issues and cultures. Admission is $5. All are invited.