Bellarmine University is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with numerous events, activities and service opportunities for students and a public lecture by the renowned author Sophfronia Scott.
“Our founding values of intrinsic dignity and social responsibility undergird our campus community,” said Dr. Jakia Marie, assistant professor of sociology and Interim Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “This year - as every year – our campus has created many thoughtful, constructive ways to commemorate the indispensable contributions African descendants in the U.S. have made throughout our shared history. I invite our community to take advantage of these many opportunities to forge a deeper appreciation of Black American experiences and cultures.”
Scott will give the Sixteenth Annual Thomas Merton Black History Month Lecture at 7 p.m., Tues., Feb. 22 in Frazier Hall. Her lecture is entitled “Uncovering a Hidden Wholeness: The Essence of Unity and Thomas Merton’s Hope for the Human Race.” The event is free and open to the public. Masks are required.
Scott began her career as an award-winning magazine journalist for Time magazine. Her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards. She is the author of Unforgivable Love, Love’s Long Line, This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World and The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton. She is the founding director of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Alma College in Michigan.
In 2007, the Thomas Merton Center inaugurated the first annual Thomas Merton Black History Month Lecture to explore Merton’s thinking on issues of Civil Rights and other questions relating to democracy and social transformation. The initial lecture was delivered by Dr. Vincent Harding, a friend and associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., subsequent guest speakers have included theologians, social activists, writers and bishops.
The Bellarmine Music Department also invites the public to a free concert featuring the Nouveau Gumbo Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Amy Cralle Theater.
For students, Bellarmine’s Center for Community Engagement will host an Alternative Spring Break trip in Louisville focused on racial justice. Starting the end of February, the students will spend a week at various community sites, including the Louisville Urban League, AMPED, La Casita, Metro United Way BLOCS programs and the Muhammad Ali Center.
Other Black History Month opportunities for students include:
- The Multicultural Interfaith Alliance is hosting a racial and spiritual healing discussion from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 3 in Hilary’s.
- The Dr. Patricia Carver Office of Identity and Inclusion (OII) is planning a Black History “Spirit Week” with different themes for each day during the second week of February.
- OII and the Career Development Center are offering “Coffee with the Pros” featuring Black professionals and alumni at 5 p.m. Feb. 8 on Teams.
- OII will host a BU Dialogue featuring a discussion on misogynoir and Black women stereotypes 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 10 on Teams.
- The Black Student Union is throwing a 90s dance party for Friday Night Live on Feb. 18.
Students may check engage.bellarmine.edu or the OII and Black Student Union Instagram accounts for further details.