Its not just about standing under a tent and handing out brochures.

Its about talking and listening and letting West Virginians in on the fact that everyone has a place at the table of the states flagship universityregardless of race, religion or economic background.

For the past four years, thats how WVU s Jennifer McIntosh has seen her role at Multifest, the yearly festival that celebrates diversity in a state sometimes perceived nationally as not readily accepting new cultures and ideas.

The 15 th edition of Multifest convenes Aug. 6-8 (Friday through Sunday) on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, transforming West Virginias capitol city into a real soul stew: one that blends hip-hop and funk with Appalachian fiddles while showcasing cuisine, artisans and vendors from the world over.

And McIntosh and other representatives of the Presidents Office for Social Justice will again make a Mountaineer presence at Multifest, for the fifth year in a row.

For McIntosh, executive officer for social justice, its a chance to showcase the accessibility and world-class academic offerings presented by WVU , from right within the states borders.

Its also a chance, she said, to promote goodwilland the Universityat the same time.

Multifest is such an opportunity for us,she said,because we get to get out and listen to people. We get to listen to their concerns and insights. They tell us what theyd like to see more of at WVU , and we tell them just what we have to offer.

Thats a critical message, she said, since Multifests core audience is made up of blacks between the ages of 15-25, a segment of the population thats traditionally disenfranchised, both in West Virginia and nationally.

McIntosh and her colleagues will deliver that message by talking up HSTA , the WVU -based Health Science and Technology Academy that offers an introduction to the hard sciencesand a collegiate experienceto low-income junior high and high school age West Virginians who otherwise might not feel compelled to go on to college.

Theyll talk about the work done at WVU s Center for Black Culture and Research, and the Universitys minority doctoral program.

And theyll also encourage people to be torchbearers themselves, by showcasing all the innovative teacher education offerings in the College of Human Resources and Education.

All are welcome,McIntosh said.

The festival

West Virginia newspaperman Steve Starks had a welcoming event mind when he founded Multifest in 1990.

It makes for a healthy society,said Starks, who is owner and publisher of The West Virginia Beacon Digest, the states only minority owned and operated newspaper.

Through the Digest Starks has long had his thumb on the pulse of the states black population, so he had a good idea that just such a festival would fly.

But that it would take off so fast, was, well, news to him, he said recently with a chuckle.

Around 20,000 a year attend Multifest, a festival faithful who happily make the trek to Charleston from the Carolinas, California and all points in-between on the map.

Thats what amazes me,Starks said.A lot of people who come in for it are West Virginians who now live away. We always come home. I know this year weve got something like 20 families who are planning their reunions around Multifest. That tells me its really becoming part of peoples lives.

Music, as always, is a big part of Multifest, and festival-goers in recent years have heard the stylings of a full range of performers, from hip-hop vanguard LL Cool J to cool jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

This years lineup features journeymen acts from the Kanawha Valley to Los Angeles, plus national headliners YoungBloodz, Kool and the Gang, and the Manhattans.

We just want the people to get together and have a good time,Starks said.

And in a world beset by war and other uncertainties, thats not such a bad thing at all, McIntosh said.

I really encourage people from the WVU community and north-central West Virginia to come for Multifest,McIntosh said.It really is a celebration, and we need events like this. Now more than ever.

Parking and admission to Multifest is free. For other information, call Steve or Debbie Starks at 304-342-4600.