Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2005

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
713.204.9798 (cell)
mrcannon@uh.edu

(HOUSTON, March 14, 2005)—She came from the Hill, an urban neighborhood in Pittsburgh and climbed the scholastic ladder to the rank of professor. Now Kimberly C. Ellis would like people to meet “Dr. Goddess.”

“I talk about race, class, gender and sexuality within the framework of American history and popular culture, in an enlightening and fun manner,” said Ellis of her one-woman, multi-media variety show, “Dr. Goddess!” an excerpt of which she will debut to Houston audiences at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 28, at the University of
Houston-Downtown.

Ellis, a choreographer, dancer and actress, is a Visiting Scholar in the University of Houston African American Studies program. Her class on Africana Thought and Philosophy makes use of film, literature, hip-hop music, art and comedy. Students dissect scenes from Eddie Murphy’s comedy movie, “Raw,” music from artists such as Nas, X-Clan and Queen Latifah, and film clips from Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” Ellis guides them through the language, images and lyrics to form perspectives about African American culture. She’s hopeful her show will challenge stereotypes and break down barriers.

“I offer no simple solutions around women’s empowerment, racial uplift, community responsibility and the heavy load of citizenship,” she said. “I do want to spark discussion.” In her show, Ellis transforms into 15 different characters, including a grade school girl, a Southern white woman poet and a black man trying to be a good father.

Ellis comes to UH from the University of Pittsburgh where she taught courses in African American History, Theater and Poetry. One of her research specialties deals with the westward migration of African Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She also focuses on the role of the African American cowgirl. Ellis challenges her students and audiences to literally and figuratively broaden their horizons about the Black West.

“This is not just a story of where we fit into the narrative of the Western frontier as portrayed in John Wayne films,” said Ellis. “It is a story of how Africana people sought to escape the persecution of the black codes, white racial violence, land loss and disenfranchisement in order to build a better world for themselves and all humanity.” Ellis plans to continue her research on black cowgirls in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and California.

For more information on UH African American Studies program, please visit www.class.uh.edu/aas/home.asp

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