University News

WIU Black History Month Celebration Schedule Released

January 28, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University invites the University and Macomb communities to participate in the annual Black History Month Celebration, which will be held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the GBCC.

Founded in 1970, the GBCC aims to promote the cultural experiences of the African diaspora. This year's theme is "OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP," and the celebration begins with the opening keynote at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 in the University Union's Heritage Room. During the remainder of the month, the GBCC will host its annual legacy events, such as Taste of Africa (Feb. 2), Why I Love Black Women (Feb. 20) and the Black Student Summit (Feb. 23). The month-long celebration will close with a black-tie gala, catered by Magnolia's, at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/2SeVLDS.


This year's Black History Month schedule includes:

• Thursday, Jan. 31 – 6 p.m. in the Multicultural Center
Program Title: Black Family Feud
Presenter:  Black Student Summit

• Saturday, Feb. 2 – 2 p.m. College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Multicultural Center
Program Title: Taste of Africa
Presenter: African Student Association 

• Sunday, Feb. 3 – 2 p.m. Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St., Macomb
Title: Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
Abstract: Poetry reading and historical overview of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center with guests reflecting on the founding and its impact
Presenter: Western Illinois University Museum 

• Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 – 6:30 p.m., University Union Heritage Room
Program Title: Black History Keynote 
Presenter: Che "Rhymefest" Smith

• Tuesday, Feb. 5 – 5 p.m., Stipes Hall, room 112
Program Title: Chicago Race Riot of 1919: Then and Now
Abstract: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 was a monumental event that is largely forgotten. When a black boy was killed for swimming in a "white" part of Lake Michigan, it set off five days of violence that left 38 dead and 500 wounded. This event significantly contributed to a massive increase in residential segregation that still plagues Chicago. Cole's presentation will discuss this history and an effort to commemorate the centennial via a site-specific public art project.
Presenter: History Professor Peter Cole 

• Tuesday, Feb. 5 – 6 p.m., GBCC Lounge
Program Title: Salon Talks
Presenter: NACWC

• Wednesday, Feb. 6 – 6 p.m., Stipes Hall, room 112
Program Title: The Black Arts Movement and the Black Panther Party in American Visual Culture
Abstract: This is a book talk based on a chapter in a recently published book by Liberal Arts and Sciences Professor Jo-Ann Morgan titled, "The Black Arts Movement and the Black Panther Party in American Visual Culture," (Routledge, 2019). The presentation will look at the artwork in an exhibition at the Oakland Museum in 1968, called "New Perspectives in Black Art," to find important themes relevant to changing political and social consciousness with African Americans in the late 1960s.
Presenter: Liberal Arts and Sciences Professor Jo-Ann Morgan

• Wednesday, Feb. 6 – 7-9 p.m., Garwood Hall
Program Title: First Wednesday
Presenter: WIU Art Department

Tuesday, Feb. 12 – 10 a.m., Cultural Expressions, 61 W. Superior St., Chicago
Program Title: Chicago Poetry Foundation
Abstract: The first space in Chicago dedicated solely to the art of poetry, the Poetry Foundation building realizes Harriet Monroe's dream, set out in her very first editorial, that the magazine would help poets pursue their art, increase public interest in poetry, and raise poetry's profile in our culture. It also is poetry's first permanent home in its 100-year history.
Presenter: Cultural Expressions

• Thursday, Feb. 14 – Noon, Multicultural Center
Program Title: HIV/AIDS Awareness
Abstract: Chris Wade is part of a nonprofit in Illinois that does free HIV/STD testing for universities, while also raising awareness for HIV/AIDS. He will speak to students from noon-1 p.m., while free testing will occur from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Presenter: Black Student Summit 

• Monday, Feb. 18 – 6 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program Title: Souls of Black Girls 
Abstract: Black women have made tremendous contributions to various activist movements, including the feminist movement and the fight for women's rights. Yet, time and again, their work is overshadowed by men and white women who often make strides for their causes due to the hard work of Black women. The event will teach about the important significance of Black women in activist movements.
Presenter: The Women's Center 

• Wednesday, Feb. 20 – 6:30 p.m., University Union Heritage Room
Program: Why I Love Black Women 
Presenter: B.M.A.N

• Friday, Feb. 22 – 6 p.m., Horrabin Hall gymnasium
Program: Bring It!
Presenter: GBCC Dance Troupe and Friends

• Saturday, Feb. 23 – 9 a.m., Multicultural Center
Program Title: Black Student Summit
Presenter: Black Student Summit

• Monday, Feb. 25 – 4:30 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program Title: African Roots Panel
Abstract: The purpose of the program is to combat the stereotype threat theory and dispel the single stories people have about countries in Africa and Africans in the United States.  
Presenter: Joey Franseca

• Wednesday, Feb. 27 – 7 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program Title: La Vida es un Carnaval 
Presenter: Casa Latina and the GBCC

• Thursday, Feb. 28 – 5 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program Title: Diversity Viewpoints in Peace Corps
Abstract: The goals of the Peace Corps aim to provide assistance to interested countries, teach host countries about American cultures and educate Americans about cultures from different countries. Volunteers of color, older volunteers, LGBT*QA and other diverse volunteers play a tremendous role in teaching other countries about diversity in the United States.  

In honor of Peace Corps Week 2019, a partnership between Casa Latina, the Women's Center and the GBCC will present "Diversity Viewpoints with Peace Corps" at the Multicultural Center. The event will showcase video clips that reflect the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers through the unique lens of their diverse identities (e.g. African Americans, Latinx, LGBT*QA, Asian and Pacific Islander, and 50+ American), followed by a facilitated conversation with panelists and audience members. 
Presenter: Joey Franseca 


Recurring Events 

• Mondays:

- 4:30 p.m., University Union Sandburg Theatre
Program: BSA General Assembly meeting 
Organization: Black Student Association 

- 3-5 p.m., Multucultural Center Resource Center
Program: NACWC Study Table 
Organization: National Association of Colored Women's Club 

- 5 p.m., De Renzsy's Boardroom, Multicultural Center
Program: Heritage Ensemble Rehearsal 
Organization: Heritage Ensemble 
 

• Tuesdays 

- 5-7 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program: GBCC Dance Troupe Practice
Organization: GBCC Dance Troupe


• Wednesdays

- 3-5 p.m., Multicultural Center Resource Center
Program: NACWC Study Table 
Organization: National Association of Colored Women's Club 


• Thursdays

- 4:30 p.m., University Union Sandburg Theatre
Program: NAACP meeting 
Organization: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 

- 5-7 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program: GBCC Dance Troupe Practice
Organization: GBCC Dance Troupe

- 5:30 p.m., Multicultural Center
Program: B.M.A.N. Meeting
Organization: Black Male Achievement Network 

- 5 p.m., DeRenzy's Boardroom, Multicultural Center
Program: Heritage Ensemble Rehearsal 
Organization: Heritage Ensemble  


• Fridays 

- 4 p.m., DeRenzy's Boardroom, Multicultural Center
Program: ASA meeting 
Organization: African Student Association 

For more information on Black History Monday, contact the GBCC at (309) 298-2220.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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