Black History/Heritage Month 2022

The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and the Black Heritage Committee invite the University community to celebrate Black Heritage Month by participating in a series of virtual and in-person events.

Black Heritage Month Virtual Book Display

Through Feb. 28

In honor of Black Heritage Month, which pays tribute to and celebrates the achievements of Black Americans and acknowledges the central role of African Americans in United States history, please enjoy these reading and viewing recommendations.

Black History/Heritage Month Kickoff: Harambee Celebration

Wednesday, Feb. 2
6:30-8 p.m.
Via Zoom

NEIU kicks off Black History/Heritage Month with Harambee 2022 (Swahili for "all pull together"), featuring live virtual performances by Zondo, Ayinde Cartman, Phenom and more. This is a community gathering celebrating African Diaspora life and culture. Please invite your families to watch it with you via Zoom or on the Pedroso Center Facebook page.

Tammy Gibson: Entrepreneur, Travel Historian, Black History Educational Speaker

Wednesday, Feb. 9
5-7 p.m.
Main Campus, Golden Eagles Room

Tammy Gibson is an accomplished entrepreneur, storyteller and travel historian. Her mission is to raise awareness, impact youth and preserve pride in African American culture through her personal journey. Tammy’s passion began at a young age in Chicago, Illinois. Raised by entrepreneurial parents, they modeled the importance of hard work and instilled the significance of education as the vehicle to transport her to the life of her dreams. Tammy earned her B.A. in African American Studies from Chicago State University. Tammy’s increasing interest in African American history has led her to travel extensively to explore Africa and several cities throughout the U.S. to gather information about the hidden treasures of African Americans that are erased from history books. 

Africana Arcade

Thursday, Feb. 10
6-7 p.m. via Zoom
7-9 p.m. Main Campus, Alumni Hall

Africana Arcade (Black Love Day) is a celebration of Black love and community through games, food and fun. Come and celebrate with us!

George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship Student Presentation: "Rise up: A candid conversation"

Wednesday, Feb. 16
12:30-2 p.m.
Main Campus, Golden Eagles Room

Join the 2021-22 recipients of the George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship for a conversation moderated by Professor of Counselor Education and Coordinator of African/African American Studies Dr. Sharon L. Bethea. 

Cartoons & Cereal

Thursday, Feb. 17
7-9 p.m.
Main Campus, Cafeteria 

Join the Black History/Heritage Month festivities with a throwback to watching Saturday morning cartoons and eating cereal! 

Victor M. Montañez: Artist, Historian

Monday, Feb. 21
6-7:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Victor M. Montañez is the originator of "Empowerment Art” an art form known for its distinct feature of allowing viewers to display the same artwork in multiple arrangements, each arrangement depicting various protagonists. "Know Art", the term coined to describe it, embodies options and changes, It is a parallel effort to his educational pursuits trying to bring about change and transformation to communities. In that sense, Know Art goes beyond simple technique and style. The art mirrors the struggle for social justice through participation and democracy. Victor’s public works are showcased in Northeastern Illinois University’s student Union, Chicago City Colleges, NEIU’s Center for College Access and Success, The Angelina Pedrozo Center, El Centro, Spanish Coalition for Housing, and several public high schools in Chicago and the suburbs. Join us for a conversation with Victor about Afro-Latino culture.

Shermann Dilla Thomas: TikTok Chicago Urban Historian 

Tuesday, Feb. 22
6-8 p.m. 
Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall
Live stream: Chicago Mahogany Tours

Urban historian and TikTok sensation Shermann “Dilla” Thomas will give a talk titled “Everything Dope about America Comes from Chicago.” The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in person at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies(CCICS), 700 E. Oakwood Blvd. in Chicago. It will also be live streamed on the Chicago Mahogany Tours Facebook page. 

To attend the in-person event, an RSVP is required via email to CCICS Office Administrator Alex Gonzalez at a-gonzalez55@neiu.edu. All audience members must provide an ID, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for contact tracing, must wear a face mask (preferably a high quality mask, such as an N95, KN95 or three-layer surgical mask) and be socially distanced while seated.

NEIU Black Alumni Event: "Women of Soul"

Wednesday, Feb. 23
7:30 p.m.
Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Ave.

Join the NEIU Alumni Association at the Mercury Theatre for “Women of Soul," a celebration of the most powerful women of soul to ever grace the stage. A limited number of tickets will be available at $25 each (a $65 value). To purchase tickets, call (773) 442-4207 or email Ashley Agron at alumni@neiu.edu. Tickets will be sent by email. Proof of vaccination is required to enter the theater and masks are required. See the Mercury Theatre website for their complete COVID-19 protocols. 

Pedroso Center's MLK Webinar Series on Racial Healing and Solidarity: Operation Breadbasket

Wednesday, Feb. 23
3-5 p.m.
Via Zoom

Join the Pedroso Center for a panel discussion on Operation Breadbasket and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on solidarity work in Chicago.

Academic Talk: Dr. Aissetu Ibrahima

Thursday, Feb. 24
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Aissetu Ibrahima will give a talk titled "Rooted and Curious: Learning from the Past for a Better Future."

Black Heritage Awards

Friday, Feb. 25
6-9 p.m.
Main Campus, Alumni Hall and via Zoom

This event celebrates the contributions of African American faculty, staff, alumni and students to the NEIU Tapestry. The event includes awards and performances, and food will be served.

Film Screening: Southside with You

Monday, Feb. 28
12-3 p.m.
To be held Virtually 

The Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, in collaboration with Student Leadership Development, presents the movie "Southside with You," a biographical film about young Barack and Michelle Obama. RSVP to m-smith5@neiu.edu. 

Northeastern Illinois University's 8th Annual Genocide and Human Rights Research Conference

March 3-4
Virtual

Northeastern's Genocide and Human Rights in Africa and the Diaspora (GHRAD) Center hosts their 8th annual conference. This year's theme is "Agency, Ethics, and Everyday Heroes: Strategies for Prevention of Genocide and Human Rights Abuses in Africa and the Diaspora." 

events are co-sponsored by: