TU celebrates Black History Month

By Towson University on February 7, 2021

One of the central tenets of Towson University’s mission is to build a diverse and inclusive campus that celebrates the cultures of all its students.

In February, TU is proud to celebrate Black History Month with events and programs designed to not only educate but also increase discussion around Black culture and history.

The programming features events sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity, the College of Fine Arts & Communication (COFAC), the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity (OIIE) and several student clubs and organizations.

The month started off on February 3 with the virtual Social Justice Forum: Unpacking the Legacy of Martin L. King Jr.

Hosted by the Center for Student Diversity, this forum served as a conversation on King's legacy  is or isn’t present in our current social, political and cultural contexts. 

Panelists for the event included Wilmon Christian III, director of PRISM and the National Equity Network; Khalilah Harris, managing director for the Center for American Progress; Keywuan Caulk, director for the Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities at Rutgets University; and Dominique White, director of Diversity and Inclusion of TU's Student Government Association. 

Moderated by TU's Danice Brown, associate professor of psychology, the forum featured four panelists who have different perspectives on Dr. King's legacy and how it fits into current day's context. 

"Our four panelists all exhibited hope and conviction regarding the work that needs to be done regarding anti-Black racism, racial injustice and Black liberation, even as they discussed taking differing paths to such," Brown said about the forum. "I enjoyed the conversations regarding the importance of  'casting a vision' for the path forward to racial justice and the acknowledgment that that there is room anger, love, support and accountability in this current movement.

"It was wonderful to hear all of the speakers discuss Dr. King’s belief in the resilience of the Black community and continued willingness to fight for racial justice even in the darkest of days," Brown added. 

The panel was a kick-off to some great events that will be held over the coming months. Here is a look at some highlighted events, sponsored by TU, that celebrate Black history. 

Sankofa Conversations
Feb. 10, starting at 4 p.m. | Virtual meeting through Zoom

Each month, the Center for Student Diversity hosts a conversation about issues that impact communities representing the African Diaspora. This month’s conversation is titled “From Selma to Stonewall.”

Did you really just say that?: Interrupting Microaggressions
Feb. 11, starting at 5 p.m. | Virtual event, registration required  

An interactive discussion led by Diverse Minds Peer Educators focused on recognizing and challenging microaggressions. Participants learn strategies to confront microaggressions, whether they are a target, bystander or offender. This workshop is open to all TU students, faculty and staff.

What’s Going On: Life, Love and Social Justice
Feb. 17, starting at 5:30 p.m. | Online, social workshop  

Inspired by the music of Marvin Gaye, COFAC professor Vincent Thomas leads an interactive social dance workshop to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. All are welcome.

Lift Every Voice – Celebrating 250 years of African American Poetry

The Albert S. Cook Library and the Center for Student Diversity presents two different events in February that looks at the history and style of African-American Poetry.

• Black Poetry Inspires with Shodekeh
  Feb. 18, starting at 6 p.m. | Virtual event, registration required
  
  Shodekeh Talifero—beatboxer, vocal percussionist, breath artist and innovator-in-residence in the College of Fine Arts & Communication—will interpret Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" through breath art. An interdisciplinary panel discussion will follow with Talifero; multimedia artist, educator and organizer Ada Pinkston, and Donn Worgs, professor of political science and program director of the African American studies minor.
• Starting the Conversation with Kondwani Fidel
  Feb. 24, starting at 5 p.m. | Virtual event, registration required
  
  Kondwani Fidel will dig into the tradition of African American poetry, share his own poetry and shed light on how this tradition can help us understand racism and take anti-racist action. Attendees will be entered into a free drawing for limited copies of Fidel’s new book “The Anti-Racist: How to Start the Conversation and Take Action.” Fidel is the author of “Hummingbirds in the Trenches” (2018), “Raw Wounds” (2017) and “The Anti-Racist: How to Start the Conversation and Take Action” (2020). His work has been praised by literary and civil rights giants Ibram X. Kendi, Eve L. Ewing and DeRay McKesson.

Virtual Movie Screening and Q&A: “ParTy Boi: Black Diamonds In Ice Castles”
March 3, starting at 7 p.m. | Virtual event, registration required

Towson University’s Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Abuse Prevention Center—in collaboration with the Counseling Center, the Center for Student Diversity, and Diverse Minds Peer Education—is hosting a virtual screening of the documentary “ParTy Boi: Black Diamonds in Ice Castles.”

The film is an award-winning documentary that journeys into the world of crystal meth addiction within Black and brown LGBTQ+ communities. Following the documentary screening, there will be a Q&A with the film's creator and director, Michael Rice.

2021 Black Student Leadership Conference
April 15-17 | Virtual event, registration required

This year’s theme is Power, Privilege and Persistence: Level Up! Attendees will gain knowledge, tools and transferable skills to assist as they navigate their academic, professional and personal lives. Breakout sessions focus on the following:

• Acknowledging and navigating the power dynamics that exist to impede or assist development; 
  
• Activating and amplifying the pride in our selves, community and culture;
• Building resiliency and accessing the resources to achieve success.

Learn More 

Anti-Racism Resources

OIIE will continue to host, collaborate on and support a variety of opportunities for support, community, healing, reflection, education and action for the TU community. The first step in promoting necessary change is acknowledging the discrepancies that are the basis for many of our systems as our society is not inherently equitable.

We call on the TU community to take an active role in this journey of learning, growth and change. Check out the above link to stay up to date on events being offered by OIIE.