In celebration of African American Heritage Month, Annette Samuels, journalism professor, will present a lecture entitled “African Americans in the Media” at 6 p.m. Monday.

During her lecture, Samuels will discuss the long heritage of African Americans, which dates back over 200 years.

She will also provide information about the relationship between African Americans and the media.

“I hope people will have a greater appreciation for African American media,” Samuels said.

Samuels was asked to speak about African Americans in the media because of her background knowledge and personal experiences with the media. She has been involved professionally with the media for over 30 years.

In 1979, Samuels joined President Jimmy Carter’s White House staff as an assistant press secretary.

From 1981 to 1987, she served as press secretary and director of communications for the mayor of Washington D.C.

Before Samuels became a faculty member in Eastern’s journalism department, she served as the executive director of the District of Columbia’s Commission for Women.

Samuels was also the first fashion editor for the magazine Essence. In addition, some of her family members have been involved with the media.Samuels said her great grandaunt’s husband was the publisher of the first African American newspaper in Columbia.