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Black History Month

In 2021, we are seeking to reclaim and reimagine Blackness - embracing a thoughtful, intentional, and inclusive framework; we consider new ways of knowing, being, and doing. We believe Black and Pan African people across the globe are beautiful, creative, innovative and unrelenting. Join us this Black History Month as we celebrate and honor the reclamation and reimagining of liberation.

2021 EVENTS

February 5- Harambee-A Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration

Swahili for “pull together,” "Harambee" is used as a rallying cry in Kenya for coming together and gathering resources. Harambee traditionally kicks off Black History Month at Northwestern with various performances and food, join us this year for a virtual adaptation!

February 9- Kindred Spirits (A Conversation with Amber Starks, aka Melanin Mvskoke)

Join MSA in welcoming back Amber Starks (aka Melanin Mvskoke) for a conversation on how the collective stories of Black and Native communities allow us to liberate ourselves by reclaiming self-authorship and self-definition. We'll explore how we wipe away systems like patriarchy, settler colonialism, and white supremacy in order to reimagine and redefine ourselves in a manner that is based in a new way of thinking and being created for us, by us. This event is open to all community members.

February 10 and 24-Octavia's Brood Book Club

Northwestern University's Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) office invites you to join us for a rare opportunity to meet students from another Chicago institution as we partner with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) at the University of Chicago to read the book, Octavia's Brood.

This text is an anthology that uses science fiction to bridge connections between social justice and science fiction. We are opening 15 spots for Northwestern students to participate in this book club, to be joined by 15 UChicago students to read selections from the text together. Upon registration, a free e-book version of the book will be provided. These events are intended for Northwestern students. 

February 12- Beautiful Brown Skin: A Conversation on #MagandangMorenx with Asia Jackson

Join Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) this Black History Month as we embrace and reclaim Black and Brown beauty with Black/Filipinx actress Asia Jackson, the creator of #MagandangMorenx, which translates to “beautiful brown skin” in Tagalog. The movement challenges colorism in the Filipinx community and beyond and subverts white standards of beauty. Join the conversation as we celebrate and reimagine a world inclusive of the beauty of Blackness. This event is intended for Northwestern community members.

February 17- Reclaiming Afro-Latinidad: The Legacy of Bomba with AfriCaribe

Join us and Africaribe as we explore the history and culture of Puerto Rico through the dance and movements of Bomba, a musical/dance genre that originated in the sugar cane plantations by enslaved Africans over 400 years ago.  AfriCaribe is a Chicago based non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, research, promotion, and development of the Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures through music, dance, theater, and other artistic media. Bomba is a rhythm of resistance. In this one hour workshop, AfriCaribe founder Tito Rodriguez will lead participants in learning the different steps of various Bomba rhythms, such as sica and yuba, followed by a Q+A. Find more information about AfriCaribe at www.africaribe.net. This event is open to all community members.

February 19- unBound: Black Sexual Liberation

Please join MSA in this interactive BDSM FUNdamentals workshop hosted by Vee AKA: Electr0papi (They/She) who is a two spirit Black and Indigenous facilitator and healer. Vee is an electro play and fire play enthusiast as well as a rope suspension top. They have persisted in their studies of desire, kink, polyamory, and communication in an effort to develop their keen awareness of the future they want to build with multiple co-conspirators in love by reclaiming the body through pleasure practices.

Participants will be introduced to the ways that the body can harness BDSM play/Kink as a tool of reclamation. The role of healing in this process will forefront the presentation!

February 22- Solidari-Tea: Reimagining Black-Asian Feminist Solidarity

In celebration of Black History Month, join us for our third Solidari-Tea of the winter quarter as we explore and reimagine Black and Asian solidarity through a feminist lens. How can our communities show up for each other, while centering feminism and inclusivity? How can we learn from the robust history of Black-Asian solidarity, while also resisting the ways our communities have been pitted against each other? No prior knowledge is required to participate — our discussions offer a safe space for students to learn about, from, and with each other. Since we're remaining virtual for the winter, we welcome everyone to bring their favorite tea, coffee, and snacks with them! This event is intended for Northwestern students.

February 23- Black House Community Night: Love+Liberation Ball

The Love+Liberation Ball is a celebration of Black life, love, and liberation that will center a conversation on the psycho-spiritual wellbeing of Black people. We are inviting attendees to get dressed up (perhaps with an Afrofuturistic flair), and enjoy this gathering with good people, vibes, and music. There will be prizes for best dressed, and other surprises for engagement. This event is intended for Northwestern students.

February 26- A conversation with adrienne maree brown

Northwestern's MSA and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) at the University of Chicago are excited to welcome adrienne maree brown for a conversation about speculative and science fiction’s role in radically imagining new worlds and informing current social movements.

adrienne maree brown is the author of We Will Not Cancel Us and Other Dreams of Transformative Justice, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, and the co-editor of Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements. She is the co-host of the How to Survive the End of the World and Octavia’s Parables podcasts. adrienne is rooted in Detroit.

This event has been made possibe through the collaboration with the Universtiy of Chicago's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, and the UChicago Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality.

Recent Years Event Listings

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