UIW to Celebrate Black History Month 2025
With February around the corner, the University of the Incarnate Word is preparing for its annual celebration of Black History Month. Throughout the coming month, a series of events will be hosted featuring UIW students, faculty and community members who will recall their experiences, reflect on Black history and share steps we can all take to create a more just society.
To kick off the celebrations, the UIW community can immerse themselves in the world of gospel and music with “The Role of Black American Gospel and Spiritual Music Traditions: Inspirational Adult Education Pedagogy,” on Monday, Feb. 3. This presentation and roundtable discussion 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 discussion will be led by Dr. Lisa Brown, assistant professor Graduate Studies; Lisa Caldwell, PhD student; Dr. Marc Gray Jr., director of Education at Ursuline College; Dr. Kevin Goode, The Church of the Harvest Church of God; and Dr. Paulette Isaac-Savage, professor of Adult Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
“I am so excited to be collaborating again with scholars and educators from around the country on this very important topic in adult education and faith,” noted Brown.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, actress and poet Jess Mahogany will return to UIW to perform a selection of powerful pieces that poignantly explore real-life experiences and the struggles that she and others have faced. Her material will explore topics such as intersectionality among identity, history, politics, spirituality, gender, class and race. Mahogany will also encourage attendees to share their own voices and experiences as she leads a spoken-word workshop and an open mic opportunity.
Fashion enthusiasts will have two opportunities to see unique designs created by UIW students. On Friday, Feb. 21, the UIW Fashion program will partner with social justice student organization As One We Will to host “Cygne Noir,” a runway show inspired by Black Swan, Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball and designers’ personal journeys. Talented UIW Fashion students will celebrate identity, creativity and resilience through their bold, couture-inspired designs. Then, on Thursday, Feb. 27, UIW will once again host the annual African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show. Attendees will experience fashion, music, art and gifts from Africa and Afro-Caribbean cultures at this vibrant event, which is a joint effort by the African Student Organization, Women Connecting Globally and Interior Design Meets Fashion.
UIW basketball fans can prepare to cheer on Cardinal student-athletes on Thursday, Feb. 20 and Monday, Feb. 24 as UIW takes on Lamar University at their Black Out for Black History games. Game attendees are encouraged to wear black in solidarity with the UIW community in its ongoing pursuit of global racial justice and equality for all.
Players and coaches will be dressed in black in observance of the Black Out for Black History game and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for UIW Athletics during the celebration of Black History Month.
Click here for a full list of UIW Black History Month events.