Western Illinois University will celebrate Black History Month

 MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University will celebrate Black History Month throughout February, with a variety of activities, speakers and events planned.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the events vary from virtual to in person.

The Black History Month schedule for the remainder of the month includes:

• Tuesday, Feb. 2 – 6 p.m., Black History Month Keynote Address by University of Missouri-Columbia Associate Professor Keona Ervin, "Reimagining Liberation: Black Feminism from the Combahee River Collective to the Movement for Black Lives," virtual event: The virtual address can be accessed at wiu.zoom.us/j/99652421131, and the event is open free to the public.


• Friday, Feb. 5 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Feel Good Friday: In-person at the Multicultural Center on campus. The first week of Black History Month will end with a special treat from the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center. The event is open free to all students. For more information about the event, and COVID guidelines, email Kwyn Townsend-Riley at K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.

• Tuesday, Feb. 9 – 9-11 a.m. – Free breakfast from the Black Student Association (BSA): The BSA will honor the Black Panther Party's revolutionary, free breakfast program, an idea later adopted by the federal and state government as a way to help children. Breakfast baggies will include apples, bananas, granola bars, mini water or juice, and a pamphlet about the Black Panthers. For more information about the event, contact BSA President Shakyria Bailey at sb-bailey2@wiu.edu.

• Tuesday, Feb. 16 – 3-6 p.m. – The BSA presents Gwendolyn's Give-A-Way: The BSA will distribute free books at the Multicultural Center in celebration of Black authors. Books are available until 6 p.m., or until the supply runs out.

• Friday, Feb. 19 – 6 p.m. – movie night, "Moonlight," virtual event: The LGBT*QA Resource Center and Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center will celebrate Black History Month with a free, online movie night. The film is a powerful and inspiring coming of age drama of a young Black man growing up in Miami. For more information about the film, and to get a link to the event contact Kairo Scott at KJ-Scott3@wiu.edu or Townsend-Riley at K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.

• Saturday, Feb. 20 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Second annual Men of Color Regional Retreat – virtual event: The retreat will feature special guest facilitator Bryant K. Smith, the creator of thought-provoking and award-winning experiential learning programs. He has witnessed the power of diversity in the boardroom, classroom and the court of competition, and is dedicated to helping participants reframe their views on difference, communication and male development. The event is sponsored by the Bradley University Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Cornell College of Intercultural Life, Monmouth College Intercultural Life and the WIU Multicultural Center. Registration is free to all students and the deadline to register is 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

• Monday, Feb. 22 – 5-6:30 p.m., Beauty and the Beast: Black History Edition, virtual event: The interactive workshop and performance is sponsored by the Black Greek Poets and will explore the dualities of Blackness, as it pertains to Black movements, Hip Hop and cuisine. The event is open free to the public and the Zoom meeting ID is 976 7428 8626. For more information on the event, contact Townsend-Riley at K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.

• Wednesday, Feb. 24 – 5-6:30 p.m. – "We Got Us," a leadership workshop: This event is presented by The Underrep'd, an organization for Black college students who attend Predominantly White Institutions. Success tips will be offered and the event is open free to the public. The event can be joined at wiu.zoom.us/j/96061983704. For more information on the event, contact Townsend-Riley K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.

• Thursday, Feb. 25 – 7-8 p.m. – "The Get Down," Zoom party: This event is hosted by the Casa Latina Cultural Center and the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center to celebrate Black History Month. "The Get Down" is an event where Black history is celebrated through music. Music all across Latin America has strong influences from Black Culture, and it is important to recognize the influence of the culture as it may not be evident through the appearances of prominent artists. For more information about the event, or to obtain a link to join, contact Noe Jurado at N-Jurado@wiu.edu or Townsend-Riley K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.

• Friday, Feb. 26 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Beauty and the Beast: Black History Edition, virtual event: The interactive workshop and performance is sponsored by the Black Greek Poets and will explore the dualities of Blackness, as it pertains to Black movements, Hip Hop and cuisine. The event is open free to the public and the Zoom meeting ID is 976 7428 8626. For more information on the event, contact Townsend-Riley K-Townsendriley@wiu.edu.