Seven days of programs focusing on cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding begin tonight when the co-founder of the Black Panthers kicks off Ebony and Ivory Week by speaking about the changing face of activism.

Bobby Seale, a defendant in the Chicago 7 trial after riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, will speak on "Activism in the 80s," exploring the social change movement's transition from the streets into boardrooms and voting booths, said Judy Schulman, president of Colloquy, sponsor of the speech which begins at 8 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium.

The Black Panther Party, created in 1966 in Oakland, Calif., by Seale and Huey Newton, advocated militant means of gaining social change. The group, which attempted to harness the energy of ghetto violence for the black movement, advanced the view that black Americans should be and are a separate entity in the United States and should avoid dependent relationships with white Americans, according to "Off The Pigs" by G. Louis Heath, an anthology of Black Panther history.

Twelve other events will follow Seale's comments as Ebony and Ivory Week, which was organized by Alpha Phi Alpha and Beta Sigma Beta fraternities, continues.

The speech will coincide with Ebony and Ivory week's "History and Shared Vision" theme, said Wendy Goldstein, speakers chairwoman of Colloquy.

"We thought that it was very important to bring in a speaker about racial diversity," Goldstein said.

Seale is the director of Advocates Scene Inc., a lobby group that represents poor blacks and minorities nationwide, and the national developmental director of Homicide Prevention Inc., an organization that works to reduce violent assaults and homicides.

Ebony and Ivory week promotes understanding of cultural differences and the benefits those differences have on the University community, said Sidney Toombs, co-chairman for the week's events on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Last year several administrative and student groups sponsored an "anti -ism week" that offered similar programs and temporarily replaced the Ebony and Ivory tradition, said Dave Kershner, co-chairman for the week's events and member of Beta Sigma Beta.

The week's return comes partially as a result of the past weeks of unrest between the black and white communities at University Park, Toombs said.

In the past, white student attendance at Ebony and Ivory functions has been low, he said, adding that the programs provide an opportunity for all students to learn about black culture.

Alpha Phi Alpha proposed the week to Beta Sigma Beta five years ago, Kershner said. The event began as a day-long series of programs and has gradually expanded to a week-long program, he said.

The program initially concentrated on creating an understanding between blacks and whites but has grown to encompass other minority concerns, Kershner said. The programs now include topics such as homophobia, sexism, racism, Greek organization myths, discrimination and social change, he said.

The week will also include programs sponsored by organizations such as the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils, the United Soul Ensemble, the Black Studies Program, the Center for Women Students, the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance and the University's Affirmative Action Office.

An assessment of values, a discussion on the effect of "subliminal racism" and an examination of the appreciation of cultural diversity will be covered in Saturday's workshops to sum up the week's activities, Toombs said.

The week will end with a rap concert by recent Grammy Award winners D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

Programs such as these are important in improving race relations, said Heather Huguley (sophomore-biology).

"When you do things together, you get a better understanding of what other people are like and about," she said.