Trinidad-born and Queens-bred poet Cheryl Boyce Taylor will lead with a movement-and-poetry workshop from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. She is the author of two collections of poetry, "Raw Air" and "Night When Moon Follows," works that vibrate "eloquently about relationships, race, alienation and struggle," according to one critic. Jacob's Pillow commissioned her text, "Water," for Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company. She teaches poetry at the New York Public Library.

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company will perform at noon in the Triangle Theater. This widely acclaimed ensemble, founded in 1981 by choreographer Abdel R. Salaam and executive director Olabamidele Husbands, blends modern dance, West African dance, music and martial arts. Salaam is the recipient of many honors, including fellowships from the NEA and the New York State Council on the Arts, and awards from the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the National Council of Art & Culture. Creator of more than 50 dance works, he also directed the off-Broadway productions of "Sweet Saturday Night" and "Measure for Measure."
From 1:15 to 3:00 p.m., there will be a screening of the classic Jamaican film, "The Harder They Come," starring Jimmy Cliff. Next, Professor Louis Parascandola will moderate a panel presentation from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m., with Cheryl Boyce Taylor, Abdel R. Salaam and sculptor Veronica Ryan, exploring how their heritage is represented in their art.

A native West Indian, Ryan will show her mixed-media installation of found and created objects, "Archeology of the Black Sun," at the Campus's Salena Gallery from January 21 to February 28. Her work is included in several collections, such as the Tate Gallery, the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Mellon Bank.

The day culminates with a reception at the Salena Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. The celebration is sponsored by the Dance Department, in collaboration with the Art, Music, and Media Arts departments, marking the fourth African Diaspora conference. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (718) 488-1051.