Michael Steele, chair of National Republican Party, and former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., chair of the Democratic Leadership Council, will share a stage at UALR at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, to discuss America’s future direction.

The event, “Left, Right, and Forward:  On the Future of America,” at the University Theatre in UALR’s Center for Performing Arts, is sponsored by UALR’s Office of Campus Life. Admission is free and open to the public, but tickets will be required.

Two tickets per person will be available at the Office of Campus Life, Room 216 in the Donaghey Student Center beginning Thursday, Jan. 21. For ticket information, call 501-569-3308.

The discussion by the two African-American political combatants kicks off UALR’s annual Black History Month program.

Ford has been described by President Bill Clinton as the “walking, living embodiment of where America ought to go in the 21^st century.” His agenda for his party includes growing the economy, strengthening our moral standing in the world, ridding the country of its dependence on oil, and modernizing the military to protect the U.S. from democracy’s enemies.

Steele was the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Maryland and his appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention catapulted him to a leadership role in the party. He describes himself as a Lincoln Republican on a mission to steer his party to its core values of small government, strong national defense, and an end to pork barrel spending.

Ford, a native of Memphis, is a political analyst for MSNBC. Steele is a regular political analyst for Fox News.

“As prominent leaders representing both sides of the political spectrum, Harold Ford Jr. and Michael Steele will engage the audience in the most hot-button issues that will shape our nation’s future,” said Dr. Jan Austin, director of UALR’s Office of Campus Life. “Anyone with an interest in politics and in the future of the country will want to attend. UALR’s Office of Campus Life is honored to host the event.”