Black History Month focuses on allyship, art and Black women

EVANSTON - Northwestern University’s Black History Month celebration includes a keynote address focused on the leadership of black women in the workplace, a community dialogue on race and policing, free HIV testing, a new exhibition of paintings about the chasm between black and white communities, and more.

The festivities kicked off Jan. 27 with Harambee, a celebration of the African diaspora, sponsored by For Members Only (FMO) and Multicultural Student Affairs. 

Black History Month programming will continue throughout the month of February and will include both campus-wide and identity-based discussions and events.

Workshop: Radical Self-Love: Learning to Live in Harmony Against the Contradiction

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.

Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Lake Room

This session is open to anyone who self-identifies as a black woman. The path to self-love is an empowering journey that can also be further complicated by race. All too often, black women must confront societal pressures and standards about what they should look like, how they should act and how they don’t measure up against other races. Participants will explore radical self-love through crafting and discussion. The event is sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs, Northwestern Residential Life and Norris University Center.

Being My Sibling’s Keeper: A Dialogue on Race, Policing and the Christian Call to Action

Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Sheil Catholic Center, 2110 Sheridan Road, Lower Level

This community-wide dialogue builds upon the Christian belief that all are one body in Christ and, as such, are compelled to be active allies to marginalized communities. The topics of focus will be racism and policing. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Sheil Catholic Center and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. 

Clinic: Know Your Status! Free HIV Testing

Friday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Multicultural Center, 1936 Sheridan Road

The campus community is invited to take advantage of free HIV testing and counseling services sponsored by Asian Human Services of Chicago.

Opening Reception: “Neither Free | Nor”

Thursday, Feb. 16, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dittmar Memorial Gallery, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive

Artist Brittney Leeanne Williams investigates the black body as a site of suffering, mourning and memorialization, yet still available to transcendence. “Neither Free | Nor” addresses the inevitability of physical suffering co-existing with the inescapable hope and possibility of redemption.

Keynote: “Cracking the Concrete Ceiling: Bringing Black Girl Magic to Corporate America”

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

McCormick Foundation Center, 1870 Campus Drive

Lizette Williams, a Kellogg School of Management alumna, award-winning marketer and leader in the multicultural marketing industry, shares real-life lessons of her two-decade-long climb up the corporate ladder as an Afro-Latina woman. Sponsored by Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications and Multicultural Student Affairs.