UIW Celebrates Third Week of Black History Month
The excitement continues as UIW celebrated the third week of Black History Month!
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, students and faculty gathered in the SEC Dining Hall on the Broadway campus to enjoy a special lunch coordinated in celebration of Black History Month. The lunch was organized in collaboration with members of Sodexo and UIW’s African Student Organization (ASO). ASO members specifically chose different dishes to contribute to the meal honoring the rich flavors of African American and southern cuisine. The special event provided a unique opportunity for the community to come together to share a delicious meal and learn more about Black and southern cuisines.
That same evening, UIW had the privilege of welcoming back local healing speaker, actress and poet Jess Mahogany to lead her third edition of her A Spoken Words Workshop. Joined alongside Amber Cunningham, assistant Women’s Basketball coach, the pair led the workshop by taking turns performing their own original poetry.
“You don't need permission to move from the heart … to show up for your community, to show up for your neighbor,” expressed Mahagony as she looked out across crowd with a smile. “No one gets to tell you how to do that.”
Students and faculty listened attentively, clapping and cheering as they took notes of the way Mahogany and Cunningham creatively articulated their emotions and thoughts as they reflected on the complexities of Black history. Their poems explored the struggles and strengths the Black community has experienced throughout past and present years, while simultaneously expressing an immense amount of pride in the beauty of their cultures.
Students were then invited to create their own poems and perform them on stage for their peers. All were met with cheers and claps as everyone came together as a community to build connections.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, the Women’s Basketball team played Lamar University in their “Black Out for Black History” game. The game’s theme was designed in observance of the Black Out for Black History and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for UIW Athletics during Black History Month.
Players and coaches dressed in black jerseys and attire in solidarity of Black History Month. Crowd members were also encouraged to wear black clothing so they too could join in the celebration as they cheered on their Cardinal athletes.
Finally, tonight, Friday, Feb. 21, UIW will be hosting the “Cygne Noir” Runway Show. Members of UIW’s As One We Will (AOWW) student organization have coordinated this beautiful event to show case original fashion designs created by their vice president Dan Williams. The show’s designs will draw inspiration from Black Swan, Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball and personal journeys to explore themes of transformation, identity and unpredictability.
“Fashion design is a powerful tool for creative expression because it allows designers to communicate their own complex emotions, stories and ideas through something tangible,” said Williams. “Through design, I can translate themes like transformation and unpredictability into something the audience can see and feel.”