The University of the Incarnate Word is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Join us for a series of events featuring UIW students, faculty and community members who will recall their experiences, reflect on Black history and the current issues of social justice our country faces, and share steps we can all take to create a more just society.
2025 Black History Month Events
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March for Justice
Jan. 20, 2025, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
UIW students, staff and faculty will be participating in the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. March organized by the City of San Antonio on Jan. 20. UIW transportation will be provided.
For more information, please visit the City of San Antonio website or contact Dr. Arturo Chavez by email at aechavez@uiwtx.edu.
The Role of Black American Gospel & Spiritual Music Traditions: Inspirational Adult Education Pedagogy
Feb. 3 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom and Online
This presentation and roundtable discussions will examine the historical and contemporary role that Negro Spirituals, Black Church Music, and Contemporary Gospel have played as instruments for adult education and revolutionary spiritual development among adults. The Round Tables comprised of scholars, students, Christians, and others who will discuss the historical roots of Black American music and how the balance between secular artistry and the movement of the charismata may conflict with their messaging designed for a diverse range of parishioners (emerging adults and church Elders) juxtaposition those outside the more formal religious spaces of African American worship and discipleship praxis. Participants will deconstruct the impact of social media and mass media as vehicles for propaganda that has led to or promoted a phenomenon described as the "generation of the unchurched." We will also examine the fallout of singing the Life Every Voice and Sing as part of the 2024 NFL Superbowl during Black History Month. In our analysis, we will deconstruct the Gospel Music origins of the song dubbed the Black National Anthem and its implication for triggering outcries about its performance and lyrics at the annual event. We will explore how scholarship and empirical research might be introduced to pastoral staff and volunteers to enhance relevant civic and community engagement grounded in faith-based teaching and values.
Join us in person or online using a secure virtual link.
Contact: Dr. Lisa Brown, Dreeben School of Education
Email: lrbrown5@uiwtx.edu
Phone: 210-805-3073
Post Election “Table Top” Conversation on Race & Gender
Feb. 6 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) 2030-2031
As One We Will (AOWW) and the UIW Office of DEI invite you to join us for safe and brave conversation on what we are learning about ourselves and our country in this post-election time of uncertainty. Regardless of who you voted for, we can agree that our country and our families are painfully divided. Respectful dialogue and conversation – across differences -can help us heal as individuals and communities. We especially want to focus on what the election is teaching us about racial and gender differences.
Contact: Taylor Demby, “As One We Will” Student Organization
Email: demby@student.uiwtx.edu
Phone: 832-233-2037
A Spoken Word Workshop with Jess Mahogany
Feb. 19 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom
Jess Mahogany brings magnificent and eye-opening, real-life struggles to life with her words. She will perform several of her powerful pieces and inspire participants to express their stories through the spoken word. The performance and workshop will explore the theme of “intersectionality” among identity, history, politics, spirituality, gender, class and race.
Contact: Arturo Chavez, Mission & Ministry – Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Email: aechavez@uiwtx.edu
Phone: 210-890-4174
“Cygne Noir” Runway Show
Feb 21 | 6:30-8 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom
Contact: Dan Williams, As One We Will (AOWW) Student Organization and School of Fashion
Email: dawilli6@student.uiwtx.edu
Phone: 210-819-0106
UIW African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show
Feb. TBD | 6-9 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom & Mezzanine
Experience fashion, music, art and gifts from the African continent and African Caribbean cultures! Free to all UIW community members with a UIW ID. This event is part of UIW Black History Month.
Special thanks to community organizer Nichelle Hosley of Interior Design Meets Fashion.
Contact: Sheena Connell, International Office
Email: sconnell@uiwtx.edu
Phone: 210-805-5705