Charleston, IL -(Effingham Radio)- Eastern Illinois University invites community members to join students, staff and faculty in celebrating African-American Heritage Month this February.
According to the African-American Heritage Month committee, EIU will offer a variety of cultural and educational events intended to celebrate black lives by honoring the men, women, families and communities that support and sustain black excellence. Events will center around a principal theme of “We the People: Redefining Black History,” and include an assortment of virtual programs and activities that highlight black contributions and applaud the most fundamental elements of blackness in American and global culture.
Yolanda Williams, academic advisor and member of EIU’s African-American Heritage Month planning committee, encourages everyone in the broader EIU community to explore and attend some or all of the university’s online African-American Heritage Month offerings.
“This year’s AAHM theme of We The People: Redefining Black History speaks to people of the African Diaspora not only being an intricate thread in the fabric of America, but also speaks to the fact that Black/African/African-American people are and have always been a huge part of the democratic process,” Williams said. “[And with] their participation in this process comes a redefining of what Black History and Black Excellence looks like in this world.”
African-American Heritage Month events at EIU kicked off earlier this week, and included an open-forum discussion about systematic oppression, racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, safety, and breaking socio-cultural color barriers. Remaining events in this month’s African-American Heritage Month at EIU will include:
-
- Wednesday February 10, 2021
Glimpses of Ghana: Maakye! at 2 p.m.
In this session, EIU graduate student Frank Gyimah will talk about his home country of Ghana, and its rich culture, history and diverse peoples.
Bougee, Rachet, Ghetto: Defining 21st Century Black Womanhood at 6 p.m.
Presented by AAHM Committee. Facilitated by Ms. Kelsey Bogard and Dr. Tradare Mclaurine
- Wednesday February 10, 2021
Black women are often labeled with stereotypes such as boogie, ghetto, or ratchet. Sometimes
even angry. This discussion will explain the parallels between the terms bougie, ghetto, and ratchet and the “strong Black woman” and “strong Black independent woman.” We will also discuss how all limit Black women’s ability to emote transparently and further promote self-hate from our own, racism from others, sexism, constant critiques of our bodies, hair, skin tone, and a whole lot more.
- Monday February 15, 2021
Black Card Revoked (game) at 6:13 p.m.; presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Tuesday Feb. 16, 2021
Conversations with STRONG: Black Owned. A Lesson in Entrepreneurship & Branding! at 6 p.m.
Presented by STRONG MENtoring with Special Guests: Pillars founder, Andre Weaver & Shady Eyes Co. founder, Timery Jackson.
- Thursday February 18, 2021
African Drumming at 1:30 p.m.
Presented by EIU’s Africa West percussion ensemble, and the Jefferson Elementary School World Drumming Club. Learn about a variety of African drumming from Jamie Ryan/Africa West, Eric Mueller, Frank Gyimah, and Hope Situembeko.
Coloring the Path: Grad School Edition at 7 p.m.
Presented by Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA). This event will be a conversation about the importance of Graduate School, why it is important, how to navigate the application process and voices from some EIU current Grad students.
- Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Cultural Stereotypes: Perceptions or Reality? from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
What do you think about when you hear ‘cultural stereotypes?’ How do we understand the complexities of cultures and generalizations? Come listen on our international students discussing the patterns of cultures to which they belong. Moderated by Lutete Carlos.
- Saturday February 27, 2021
Image Awards: Success Is the New Black at 6 p.m.; presented by EIU’s NAACP
For more information and links to EIU’s African-American Heritage Month virtual events, visit EIU’s Office of Inclusion and Academic Engagement on the web at www.eiu.edu/oiae/. For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its growing assortment of programs and services, visit the university’s website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
Comments