Waubonsee Community College is proud to host community events showcasing the excellence of Black culture and history during Black History Month. These events have been designed to honor Black leaders' rich cultural heritage and remarkable achievements in shaping our nation's story. Students, staff, and community members are invited to learn, celebrate, and gather in unity to appreciate the invaluable contributions of Black Americans to our history, culture, and society. All events are free and open to the public.
- “Music Mondays”– is a celebration of African American musical contributions. Join us each Monday during February at noon on the Sugar Grove or Aurora Downtown Campuses, dates and locations vary.
- “BIPOC in STEM: Breaking Barriers, Embracing Opportunities”– is a networking event focused on the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) experience in the STEM field featuring keynote speaker Cortez Watkins, a Waubonsee alumnus and the Senior Workforce Pathways Partnerships Liaison at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. This gathering offers valuable insights into diversity, equity, and inclusion within STEM disciplines. Connect with professionals and peers, engage in meaningful discussions, and expand your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in STEM for BIPOC individuals. This networking event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. at the Aurora Downtown Campus.
- “Celebrating Black Excellence: A Cultural and HBCU Showcase” – Join us for a unique event to celebrate Black culture and discover more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Explore various educational opportunities and gain insights into the heritage and contributions of HBCUs. Enjoy a live DJ, giveaways, and free samples of soul food while supplies last. The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Sugar Grove Campus.
- “Lunch & Learn: The Story of Black Hair”– will be an enlightening virtual discussion on Monday, Feb. 19 at noon about the evolution of Black hair. The presentation will be offered via Zoom.
- “Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad” – will be a lecture led by Connie Martin, MA. During the presentation, Martin will share stories passed down from her great-grandmother Lizzie of how her family survived the antebellum period through trials and tribulations, and how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and secret messages to assist abolitionists-white and black-to guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad to Canada. During the presentation, Martin will share eighteen different quilt patterns in replica quilts and refer to a book her mother, Dr. Clarice Boswell, wrote about their family called, “Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom.” Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance. This free Community Engagement program is sponsored by Waubonsee and the Lifelong Learning Institute. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30p.m. at the Sugar Grove Campus.
Visit waubonsee.edu/BlackHistoryMonth for more information on specific times and locations and registration details.
Pictured Above: Dr. Joseph Flynn, Associate Director for Academic Affairs at Center for Black Studies and Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University, delivers a speech during Waubonsee’s 2020 Black History Month celebration.
