Union College, Union Street, Schenectady:

African vendors at the College Center, 10 am - 4 pm, Wednesday.

Harambee artists, specializing in dance and step, 7-9 pm, Monday, February 17, Union College Memorial Chapel.

Talent show featuring Union students and faculty, 7:30 pm, Friday, February 21, Chet's Lounge, College Campus Center.

"The Real Meaning of 'We the People'," a lecture by Patrice Gaines, 7-9:30 pm, Monday, February 24, College Center Auditorium.

For information: Nicole Jarvis, Union College Academic Opportunity Program, 388-6520. All events are free.

Borders Books and Music, 59 Wolf Road, Colonie, 482-5800:

Ronnie Tanksley, Albany native and new author, signing copies and speaking on his novel "Endangered Species," 4 pm, Saturday.

Nii Ayitey Quaye, Ghanaian master drummer performs for children and adults, demonstrating the art of African drumming, 3 pm, next Sunday.

Julius Lester, author: 4 pm, Monday, February 17, in a storytime for children from the folktale "Sam and the Tigers," the retelling of "Little Black Sambo" that rescues the tale from its traditional racist overtones.

Also, Lester leads a discussion group on his novel of the civil rights movement, "And All Our Wounds Forgiven," 7 pm, Monday, February 17.

The Heritage Library, Macedonia Baptist Church, 172 N. Allen Street, Albany, 489-4370.

Works of Rex Stewart, a local artist on exhibit now through February 28. Hours: 6-9 pm Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 am - 4 pm Saturday; 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Sunday. 489-4370.

Storytelling: A dramatic reading and telling of stories for all ages 1-2:30 pm Saturday.

The Film "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored," followed by discussion, at 6 pm Saturday, February 22. Light refreshments served at 5:30 pm.

Schenectady Museum, Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady:

Celebration in Dance with Umoja Dance Troupe, a children's dance group, 2:30 and 3:30 pm Saturday. Free with museum admission. $1.50-$3.00.

French West Indian Folk Songs and Dance. Francelise Dawkins performs: 12:30-2:30 pm Tuesday. Registration recommended. 382-7890. Free with museum admission. $1.50-$3.00.

African American Foods, a workshop in ethnic cuisine: 12:30-2:30 pm Monday, February 17. Family workshop. $18 per family for non-museum member families; $15 for museum member families; $10 for children 9 and older. 382-7890.

Drumming with Dave Henderson, a workshop on African drumming: 12:30 and 1:30 pm Wednesday, February 19. $18 per family for non-museum member families; $15 for museum member families; $10 for children 9 and older. Register at 382-7890.

African Mask Workshop. With Miki Conn, two-hour family workshop demonstrating patterns and designs. Kids make a mask to take home. 12:30-2:30 pm Friday, February 21. Not appropriate for pre-schoolers. $18 per family for non-museum member families; $15 for museum member families; $10 for children 9 and older. Register at 382-7890.

Other Capital Region Events:

Ethnic Awareness Day. A celebration of cultural diversity with food, music, poetry and history. Will include various ethnicities, and participants will dress in ethnic attire. 4 pm next Sunday, followed by food tasting. Bethany Baptist Church, 59-65 Second Street, Albany. 462-0327. Free.

Black History Program. Featuring people who made an impact on African-American society. 7 pm Friday, February 21. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 58 Alexander Street, Albany, Free. 436-9308.

"African-American and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal" with State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, guest speaker. 11 am next Sunday. Dinner following service. Bethel Baptist Church, 2165 Fifth Avenue, Troy. Call 274-4303.

NAACP Founders Program. 3:30 pm Sunday, February 23. With H. Carl McCall, state comptroller, guest speaker. Union Baptist Church, 1 Morton Avenue, Albany. 462-1823.

Black History Program. With Charisma Dance Center of Troy entertaining. Program includes a tribute to African-American signers of the 1960s and reading of a poem by college student Tasha Austin, and African dancing. 1:30 pm, Friday. School 20, 570 N. Pearl Street, Albany. 462-7249.

Exhibits:

"Achievements Against the Odds and Portraits of Exceptional Women" - an exhibition of famous black women in history. Through April 11. Hours: 11 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday and Saturday by appointment. 346-1262. Jerry Burrell Gallery, Hamilton Hill Arts and Crafts Center, 409 Schenectady Street, Schenectady.

"Jazz Shots: The Photographs of Milt Hinton." Performance, studio and candid photographs by jazz bassist Hinton, capturing the history of American Jazz. Through April 30. Hours: 10 am - 5 pm, seven days a week. State Museum, Madison Avenue, Albany. 474-5877.

African-American Art. By local artists. Through February 28. Hours: 11 am - 2 pm, daily., 9 am - 3 pm, Sundays. Bethel Baptist Church, 2165 Fifth Avenue, Troy. Free.

Ernie Williams and the Wildcats perform at 8 pm Friday, February 28, in Cafe Espresso, celebrating the release of their new CD "Harvest Time." Ernie brings his 72 years of blues history.