College of DuPage explores Black History Month with virtual programs
In celebration of Black History Month, College of DuPage invites students, staff, faculty and community members to examine, recognize and celebrate the Black family in the context of their storied past and present.
Each weekday during the month of February, for 21 days, COD's Black History Month's webpage will post a variety of images and information significant to Black history, along with curated resources. Participants are encouraged to explore the Black family's history and its contribution to American culture.
Throughout February, the college also offers an array of free virtual events and activities including a film discussion, expert speaker presentations, panel discussions and an immersive cooking experience. To kick off the monthlong celebration, college President Dr. Brian Caputo, along with student speakers and a spoken word artist, will give a welcome presentation on Facebook at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1.
Additional virtual events during Black History Month:
Join Student Life for a game of virtual trivia at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4.
The “Global Flicks” film series will host a discussion of the film “Daughters of the Dust” at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. Prescreening of the film is required. The film is available through the COD Library on Canopy for students and employees. Set in 1902, the film tells the story of three generations of Gullah, also known as Geechee, women living on Saint Helena Island as they prepare to migrate off the island, out of the Southern United States and into the North.
Get creative and share stories, poems, spoken words, songs, raps or any other form of expression with other participants in “Connect, Engage and Uplift: Have Some Fun and Be Encouraged” from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 11 and 25.
The Chamber Singers will celebrate Black History Month during “Music Fridays @ Noon” from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12. The Chamber Singers, under the direction of Lee R. Kesselman, is a choral ensemble that specializes in vocal chamber music of all periods. This performance features selections that celebrate Black History Month. Visit atthemac.org/events/musicfridays-feb12/.
College of DuPage alumna and former Black Student Alliance President Veronica Williams-Hall will speak on the impact of the Black family in America and share an interactive experience on Black culture, social awareness and the plight of success for a young generation of leaders at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Join representatives from Student Life for a conversation circle to explore “who belongs to us and to whom do we belong?” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. For some people, family is the deepest and firmest bond. For others, family is something to escape, a source of pain and frustration. For some, “family” prompts the mainstream picture of mom-dad-kids. For others, family structure is described with modifiers: blended, extended, chosen, single-parent, foster or multiracial. Regardless of what it looks like, the concept and importance of “family” looms large in our individual and communal lives.
COD students are invited to submit an essay, a story, a piece of art or music, a poem or any other form of expression as part of the annual Black History Month Expressions competition. Select a quotation by a noted African American that is relevant to the 2021 Black History Month theme “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” The top four submissions will be notified on March 12 and each will receive a $500 award. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Learn more about the competition at www.cod.edu.
College of DuPage Sociology Associate Professor Robert Moorehead will present “Systemic Racism in America: Understanding Our Racial Past and Present” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22. Moorehead's teaching and research focus on issues of race, ethnicity and immigration in the United States and Japan, including the incorporation of Japanese Peruvian immigrants into Japanese society.
Facilitated by COD faculty, join a discussion regarding the history of professional athletes against racial injustices in America on Monday, Feb. 22. Sparked by Colin Kaepernick's “taking a knee” to the recent professional athletes who have demonstrated against racism, this panel discussion will bring awareness to how the actions of professional athletes impact a movement and how these actions impact the Black family.
Listen to a discussion on the life and works of Katherine Dunham, an African American dancer, choreographer, author, educator, anthropologist, social activist and creator of the Dunham Technique on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Dunham was born in Glen Ellyn and a few years later moved to Joliet.
Listen to volunteer readers from across the COD community present their favorite selections from African American books, essays and poetry collections, as well as brief biographical sketches of the authors, during the annual African American Read-in at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.
Share an interactive “at home” experience and learn how the Black family has impacted culinary diversity in America on Friday, Feb. 26. Explore healthy options and learn the story behind some familiar dishes in a live virtual streaming format with professional chefs.
Visit cod.edu/bhm for a full schedule of events and event links.
For more information on Black History Month, contact COD Center for Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager David Swope at swoped28@cod.edu or (630) 942-2565.