Villanova University Celebrates Black History Month with Series of Programs and Events
VILLANOVA, Pa.—Villanova University celebrates Black History Month in 2022 with an array of educational and community-based events throughout the month of February. Activities include academic lectures, education and talk-back opportunities, alumni career panels, history projects, and more. This page will be updated continually throughout the month—and will also highlight several ongoing initiatives at Villanova University.
Villanova's Black Student Union
BSU Showcase: Light Up the World
When: February 18 at 7pm
Where: The Villanova Room
Villanova's Black Student Union presents Light Up the World: A Celebration of Black Joy. BSU has a great line up of performers, artists, and speakers for you this year. The attire for this year’s showcase is formal, dress to impress!
Villanova Cultural Studies Program
Frederick Douglass Transcribe-a-Thon
When: February 14 at noon.
Where: Zoom
Frederick Douglass chose Valentine’s Day to be his birthday. Let’s celebrate it on Monday, Feb. 14, noon until 3 p.m. by transcribing the records of the Colored Conventions, the 19th century’s longest campaign for Black civil rights. Together we can record the fierce history of Black activism—including the important roles of Black women in the conventions! Come for as little or as long as you’d like. The event is virtual. Learn more.
The Kaepernick Effect
When: February 17 at 5:30pm
Where: Zoom
With The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World, New York Times bestselling author Dave Zirin records the powerful story of Colin Kaepernick, one of the most inspiring athletes of all time. By taking a knee, Kaepernick gave the world a powerful symbol of resistance and faith that would help build the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice the world over. Hear it all from Dave! Sponsored by the Cultural Studies Program.
Falvey Memorial Library
The Bible in Black
When: February 8 and 15 at 12:00pm
Where: Falvey Memorial Library, Room 205
What if we read and interpreted the biblical text with Black ways of knowing and being as our guiding light? This interactive session, with Theology & Religious Studies professor, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, will explore the possibilities for spiritual, social, and political formation when we study the Bible in Black. This ACS-approved event series, co-sponsored by Villanova Campus Ministry and Falvey Memorial Library, is free and open to Villanova faculty, staff, and students. Part 1: The Old Testament | Part 2: The New Testament
Black Villanova Oral History Project
Black Villanova: An Oral History is a project focusing on the African American student experience at Villanova University throughout the period of roughly 1950-1985. The purpose of this project is to document the history of this period through the voices and perspectives of African American students who contributed significantly to the history of Villanova University.
The project seeks to document the significant contributions to campus life which African American students made during this time period. This oral history project will serve as a unique and valuable educational resource for future generations.
Villanova College of Engineering
The College of Engineering has planned a variety of activities and features to celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of our students, alumni and faculty. View the College of Engineering website.
Black History Month Kick-off
When: February 3 at 6:30pm
Where: CEER
Celebrate with your fellow engineering students! All students are welcome! Enjoy food, games and giveaways, sponsored by SHPE, NSBE, and Engineering DEI Committee
Villanova Engineering Seniors Tell All
When: February 10 at 7pm
Where: Zoom
Hear from Black Villanova Engineering Seniors as they discuss challenges faced and how they were overcome, valuable extracurricular activities, helpful on-campus resources, favorite courses, the benefit of research experiences, post-graduation plans, and what they know now that they wish they knew then.
Voices of Experience: Alumni Career Panel
When: February 24 at 7pm
Where: Zoom
Hear from Black Villanova Engineering Alumni as they discuss their individual career paths and experiences, challenges faced as an underrepresented minority and advice for responding to those challenges, the value of role models/mentors/networking, the job search, undergraduate experiences that inspired and influenced their professional choices, and advice they wish they’d been given as undergraduates.
M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
The Power of Black Nurses' Voices
When: February 23 at 7pm
Where: Zoom
In celebration of February's Black History Month, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing has partnered with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (SEPABNA) and FCN's Multicultural Student Nurses Organization (MSNO) to co-sponsor a special free, virtual event for the community "The Power of Black Nurses' Voices." The event brings together the diverse talents of regional nurses to discuss their leadership with the Power of Black Nurses' Voices, Power of the Book, Power of the Pen, Power of Social Media and Power of Connection. All are welcome.
Villanova School of Business
Please join VSB as we celebrate the contributions of the many Black individuals who have impacted our culture and society, both at VSB and beyond. In recognizing significant Black contributions to American society, both past and present, we look to influence the future, specifically through the development of our next generation of leaders: students, staff, and faculty. Learn more on the VSB website.
Veritas Voices: A Dialogue Series
When: February 9 at 7pm
Where: Zoom
An Open Discussion for VSB Students.
Cultural Conversations
When: February 16 at 12:30pm
Where: Zoom
Reading and Discussion for VSB Faculty and Staff.
Keynote Speaker Series: Dr. Randal D. Pinkett
When: February 23 at 12:30pm
Where: Zoom
Dr. Randal D. Pinkett is an Entrepreneur, Author and DEl expert.
Africana Studies Program
The Other Side of Terror: Black Women & the Culture of US Empire
When: February 17 at 2:30pm
Where: West Lounge
Join the Africana Studies Program and Gender and Women's Studies for a seminar (2/17, 2:30pm) and lecture (2/17, 4:30pm) by Professor Erica Edwards (Rutgers University). To RSVP to the seminar and receive the readings, please e-mail Sarah Peters.
DUNYA Performing Arts Company presents: A Passport Journey
When: February 17 at 7pm
Where: The John & Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts
Experience the cultural traditions of the African Diaspora through storytelling, dance and song.
Game Night
When: February 18 at 6pm
Where: Garey Hall Alumni Room
Everyone is invited to join game night-- an evening of soul food, fun and afrobeat. There will be Spades, Jenga and Checkers, and participants can feel free to bring their own games. Join for a great time!
Villanova Athletics: UNITAS
Through a series of photos, interviews, and podcasts throughout the month, Villanova Athletics’ UNITAS will share with the community the individuals in Athletics that make our community a place of belonging. Read more about the events sponsored by UNITAS.
Love and Basketball (movie viewing)
When: February 2 at 7pm
Where: The John & Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts
Movie description: Love & Basketball is a 2000 American romantic sports drama film written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film is produced by Spike Lee and Sam Kit and stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Run at Your Leisure
When: February 23
In honor and remembrance of Ahamud Abery who was killed on Feb. 23, 2020, UNITAS is encouraging people to take a 2.23 mile run, walk or jog at their leisure. Tag @nova_unitas on Twitter and Instagram with posts, photos or videos from your run.
Honoring The Black Fives
In conjunction with the BIG EAST Conference and the Black Fives Foundation, Villanova Athletics will honor and celebrate pioneers from the "Black Five" era as part of its Black History Month celebration.
The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest
The Move Bombing: A Turning Point In The History Of Philadelphia?
When: February 9 at 6pm
Where: Zoom
Was the bombing of the home of MOVE organization on May 13, 1985, a turning point in the history of Philadelphia? How are scholars and activists reclaiming the narrative by creating archives to preserve local histories and combat erasure? How can we historically contextualize the recent revelations about the Penn Museum’s use of human remains as “teaching tools”? Join us for a conversation with local activists and scholars about the significance of the MOVE bombing for the city’s history.
Speakers:
Mike Africa Jr., Activist, writer and host of the podcast "Ona Move w/Mike Africa, Jr."
Dr. Krystal Strong, Assistant Professor Literacy, Culture, and International Education Division, University of Pennsylvania
Moderated by Dr. Crystal J. Lucky, Professor of English and Associate Dean of Baccalaureate Studies, CLAS, Villanova University
Gentrification and Residential Racial Segregation in Philadelphia
When: February 23 at 6pm
Where: Zoom
A recent article in the The Philadelphia Inquirer revealed that Philadelphia is one of the most racially segregated cities in America. Join us for a conversation with a local public historian and the journalists who broke the story for a historically informed conversation about the past and present history of residential segregation in Philadelphia.
Speakers:
Faye Anderson, Director, All That Philly Jazz
Michaelle Bond, Residential Real Estate Reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Aseem Shukla, Data Reporter and Developer, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Moderated by Inga Saffron, Journalist and Architecture Critic, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Villanova Dining Services
Dining Services will be celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the following chefs throughout the month and serving recipes from their cookbooks. Dining Services will feature a new chef and menu every Tuesday during dinner in the residential dining halls. Menus and information about the lives and accomplishments of each chef can be found on their website.
February 1: Bryant Terry- Afro Vegan
February 8: Rufus Estes- Good Things to Eat: The First Cookbook by an African-American Chef
February 15: Matthew Raiford- Bress ‘n’ Nyam
February 22: Carla Hall- Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday & Celebration
About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.