BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In celebration of Black History Month, Indiana University has a full slate of programming for students, faculty, staff and community members at each of its campuses throughout February.
“The depth of the Black History Month events and activities illustrates how much the IU community values honoring the different heritages of the individuals who comprise our institution,” said James Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs, dean of The University Graduate School and the Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership.
IU’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs supports Black History Month initiatives across all IU campuses. The theme of IU Bloomington’s Black History Month celebration is “Black and Free,” which symbolizes not only the historical achievements of African-Americans but also the transformative power to unlock one’s potential.
Many of the Black History Month events on the IU Bloomington campus are hosted by the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, an Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs program, including:
- Black History Month Sankofa Ceremony and Opening Dinner – The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center celebrates its unique history with a dinner and storytelling tour focusing on some of the African-American people, institutions and organizations who have made an impact on the IU Bloomington campus, at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center’s Grand Hall.
- IU Bloomington 16th Annual “African American Read-In” – This popular staple of IU’s Black History Month celebration, organized by the School of Education, brings together students to read African-American poetry, book passages and their own work, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Neal-Marshall Grand Hall.
- “Hair Politics: Ode to the Black Barber/Beauty Shops and the Dialogue They Foster” – Local Bloomington barbers and hairstylists share their insights about two institutions in the African-American community: black barber shops and beauty salons. The event, co-sponsored by the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, takes place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Neal-Marshall Grand Hall.
IUPUI will also host an extensive selection of programming for Black History Month, including:
- Black History Month Kick-Off – Sponsored by the IUPUI Multicultural Center, this event celebrates African-American heritage, art, culture and history, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 2 in the Campus Center Atrium.
- Steward Speaker Series: Hill Harper – A lecture by award-winning actor, best-selling author and philanthropist Hill Harper, at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Madam Walker Theater.
- Critical Conversations on Black Homicide – Sponsored by the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and the Baptist Ministers Alliance, and IUPUI’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Multicultural Center and Office of Community Engagement, a discussion about violence in Indianapolis, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Hine Hall Auditorium.
IU East activities include:
- “Minorities in Athletics” – A presentation by Jesse Griffin, the dean of students at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in Vivian Auditorium.
IU Kokomo activities include:
- The Equality Project – An art exhibit featuring photos of a diverse group of IU Kokomo students, faculty and staff with statements about what equality means to them personally, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 5 to 9 in Alumni Hall.
IU Northwest activities include:
- “Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace” – The screening of a film about the life of the first African-American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference, at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 in Bergland Auditorium.
IU South Bend activities include:
- “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud: Retrospective on the Godfather of Soul” – A look back at the late James Brown, from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Civil Rights Heritage Center.
IU Southeast activities include:
- “From the Streets to the Stage” – Poet and activist Monti Washington will tell his story of overcoming a troubled childhood to become a standout athlete and professional actor before turning his focus to empowering youth, at 7:30 p.m. March 1 in the Ogle Center’s Stem Hall.
For more information about Indiana University’s Black History Month celebrations at campuses across the state, visit the calendar of events.
