As a writer-director, actor, producer, author and philanthropist, Spike Lee has revolutionized the role of black talent in cinema. Widely regarded as today's premier African-American filmmaker, Lee is a forerunner in the do-it-yourself school of independent film.

Recent critical and box office successes have included such films as The 25th Hour, The Original Kings of Comedy, Bamboozled and Summer of Sam.

Lee's films Girl 6, Get on The Bus, Do The Right Thing and Clockers display his ability to showcase a series of outspoken and provocative socio-political critiques that challenge cultural assumptions - not only about race but also class and gender identity.

Lee has received countless award nominations for his film work since the 1980s. His recent awards include a 2007 Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking for his film When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. His 2006 film Inside Man garnered him a 2007 NAACP Image Award for directing and a 2006 Black Movie Award for directing. He was honored with the Innovator Award at the 2007 American Black Film Festival.

Lee will address the Schuster Center audience in a lecture titled The World Through My Lens, and a question-and-answer session will follow.

Lee is part of an all-star line-up of acclaimed artists and journalists tackling "The Responsibility of Media in a Global Society" during the University of Dayton's 2007-2008 Diversity Lecture Series.

The University of Dayton's Diversity Lecture Series is part of a larger strategic plan to increase inclusion and diversity on campus and prepare students, faculty, staff and the Dayton community for success in a global society. Past speakers have included Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King, Clarence Page, Nikki Giovanni, Azar Nafisi, Johnnetta B. Cole, Juan Williams and Kirk Franklin. -- www.victoriatheatre.com