Happy Black History Month!
St. Edward’s is proud to celebrate the rich history, cultural heritage and contributions of the Black community that are an indelible part of American history. Throughout Black History Month, Hilltoppers came together for fun events and thoughtful community discussions and education. From a campus cookout and an expo supporting local Black artists and vendors to hearing from Black authors and a Black wellness expert, it was a month of exciting activities, learning and camaraderie.
Below are some of our Black History Month events along with the ongoing ways that St. Edward’s is seeking to keep the spotlight on diversity, equity and inclusion year-round.
1
Black History Month Kickoff Cookout
Sunday, Feb. 6
The Black Student Alliance and the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion kicked off the month with a barbeque cookout on the hilltop. Delicious food, fun and fellowship was enjoyed by the St. Edward’s community.
2
Community Conversation: Justice
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion hosted a community discussion that examined the topic of justice. The discussion is one of an ongoing series of campuswide conversations focused on building community and fostering open and supportive spaces for people to talk about differences, develop empathy and enhance perspectives.
3
Black Expo
Wednesday, Feb. 16
The Equity and Justice Council, a student organization that plans and hosts campus events, organized the Black Expo, an event dedicated to highlighting Black vendors, artists and creators.
4
Black History Month Interactive Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 23
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion invited Camille McCallum, author of The Power of Infinite Potential, to facilitate an interactive workshop for St. Edward’s University students “designed to explore identity, purpose and finding your way.” (Photo Courtesy of Camille McCallum)
5
Award-Winning Visiting Writer
Wednesday, March 2
The School of Arts and Humanities invited Tiphanie Yanique, a novelist, poet, essayist and short story writer, for the school’s Marcia Kinsey Visiting Writers Series. Yanique has authored a poetry collection, Wife, the novels Land of Love and Drowning and Monster in the Middle, and the collection of stories How to Escape from a Leper Colony. Her writing has won the Bocas Award for Caribbean Fiction, the Boston Review Prize in Fiction, a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers Award, a Pushcart Prize, a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Academy of American Poets Prize, among others. (Photo Courtesy of Mosaic Literary Magazine)
6
Self-Care as a Person of Color
Wednesday, March 9 – Tune in at: @seu_diversityandinclusion
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion hosted Wellness Wednesday, featuring an Instagram Live with blogger and retailer Black Woman on a Mission @blkwomanonamission. Our guest talked about caring for yourself as a woman of color as we wrapped up Black History Month and began Women’s History Month in March. Merchandise giveaways were part of the program! (Photo Courtesy of @blkwomanonamission)
7
Exploring Racism
Every year, incoming freshmen are asked to read a common text selected by a committee of faculty, alumni and staff at St. Edward’s. The text guides programming and discussions across campus that confront questions of social justice.
This year, Hilltoppers are reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You co-authored by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Committee member Lilli Hime ’19 said the book was chosen “because more than just understanding the present, Reynolds and Kendi build a path toward a future that acknowledges our present while refusing to repeat our past. An antiracist future.”
In 2021, Jason Reynolds participated in a Zoom conversation with our campus community and also delivered the keynote address at the Holy Cross Institute's annual convocation. Hear what Reynolds has to say about the most important part of his book and being an antiracist. (Photo by Ben Fractenberg)
8
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. Edward’s
The community at St. Edward’s understands that if we want to create a more racially just and humane world, we must also reflect and listen to how we can improve as a campus community. In 2020–2021, we embarked on initiatives and created committees that are helping us to grow on the path of diversity, equity and inclusion.