The award-winning funk band Funkengruven and African music group Kotoja will be among the entertainment at a daylong event celebrating the black community and culture May 21 at UC Davis.

Black Family Day, free and open to the public, will be the climax of the 35th annual Black Family Week beginning May 15. The day will offer a children's fair, a health fair, a wine exposition, information about attending college or university, and arts and crafts vendors.

"This is a great opportunity to participate in the various expressions of our rich heritage," says LaQuoia Gibbs, publicity coordinator for the student-run event.

Funkengruven, three-time winner of the local Sammie award for best R&B/funk band, will help keep two stages hopping. Other entertainment will include hip-hop groups Youth Movement and Monotone, spoken word performer Ise Lyfe, dance hall group Wanlov, jazz band Nic Nac, gospel singers Jay-On Voices and praise dancers from Black Campus Ministries.

The day begins at 11 a.m. on the Quad and concludes at 6 p.m. Parking is free, and food concessions will be available. The week's events will feature entertainment ranging from a gospel concert to spoken word and educational activities including a youth leadership conference and a home ownership workshop.

The celebration aims to bring families and friends together to learn about the issues in the community.

Gibbs says this year's theme, "The Uplift of a Nation Starts with Me," brings focus to the rich diversity of programs offered during this week. "Our events challenge individuals to step up as leaders in building a better community and instilling pride in our culture," said the senior.

The issue of home ownership will be the subject of a panel discussion led by a representative of the Nehemiah Corporation Monday, May 16. The free event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Mee Room of the Memorial Union. Also, high school students from Sacramento and the Bay Area will gather May 18 at the Black Youth Leadership Conference to learn about college life.

On May 21, a wine symposium will take place on the second floor of the Memorial Union from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A wine tasting event follows from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in the same location.

For more events and information, visit http://www. davisblackpages.com/bfd.html.