Black Caucus will present a speech on the black American experience tonight as part of Black History Month, even though the month-long celebration does not begin until Friday.

"Black History Month should be celebrated any time of the year," Black Caucus Vice President Gerard Louison said. "If (the speaker) comes four days before Black History Month it doesn't matter."

Na'im Akbar, a psychology professor at Florida State University, will lecture as the month's keynote speaker at 7 tonight in the HUB Ballroom. The speech is co-sponsored by the University's black studies program and the department of psychology.

Black History Month is designed as a time to reflect on African-Americans' achievements and their role in American society.

Akbar, who did research at the University in 1980, will speak about "The Rejuvenation of the African in America."

"He's one of the most prominent minds of Africanist psychology," Louison said.

Akbar, a clinical psychologist and author of three books, is a one of the top theorists in black psychology, said Kevin Allison, assistant professor of psychology.

"African-American psychology is attempting to take a perspective of African-Americans that aims from their own experience. There are quite a variety of theorists in African-American psychology, and Akbar is one of them."

Allison said black psychology is based on the same theory as feminist psychology such that the individuals are more equipped to define their own experience as minorities than a different culture or gender defining them.

Louison said Akbar will also talk about how the history and sociology of black people relates to their psychological experience in America.

"Akbar is very informative and creative. If you don't really understand the problems of African-Americans, Dr. Akbar will give a very good concept of what's going on," Louison said.

Several of Akbar's books will be on sale at the HUB following his lecture.