Vanderbilt University’s annual celebration of Black History Month—a time to acknowledge and appreciate the history, experience and accomplishments of Black people on the Vanderbilt campus, across the country and globally—continues through Feb. 28.
The below events are open to all members of the Vanderbilt community. All times are CST. For more information, visit the Black Cultural Center website.
View the complete list of events for VU’s Black History Month 2021.
Feb. 15
Noon
From Inclusion to Equity: The Story of Black Biomedical Scientists
The School of Medicine Basic Sciences will host a panel discussion about the historical discoveries and experiences of black biomedical scientists and their impact on the current generation of science and scientific leaders. The event will be moderated by Dr. André Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer and professor of medicine.
Feb. 16
7 p.m.
Murray Lecture: Who will Save American Democracy? The Role of Women, Young Voters and People of Color in American Politics
LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund and fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, will deliver a powerful talk on the influence of women, young voters and people of color in American politics.
Feb. 17
5 p.m.
She Black, She Boss and She Vandy! – Session 1
This two-part series celebrates Black female alumni leaders from Vanderbilt who have started their own company, nonprofit, school, etc. Each part in the series will feature three to four guest participants from differing sectors. Come be inspired by Vanderbilt Black excellence.
Feb. 18
6 p.m.
Black History Month-themed yoga session with Jo-Jo
De-stress and relax in a one-hour yoga session with Jo-Jo Jackson. The sessions during Black History Month will feature different Black female leaders. Participants will qualify to receive free inspirational posters featuring each of the leaders.
Feb. 19
11 a.m.
Black Pioneers in the World of Sports and Their Relevance Today – Panel discussion
A panel of leading Black scholars and authors on the history of Black athletes and activism—including Lou Moore, Derrick White, Amira Rose Davis and Andrea Williams—will discuss the lessons learned from Black athlete activists of the past that are especially relevant today. Moore and White are professors and co-hosts of The Black Athlete podcast; Davis is a professor and co-host of the Burn It All Down podcast; and Williams is the author of a new biography on Effa Manley, a Negro Leagues team owner.
Presented by the Vanderbilt Sports and Society Initiative, the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center and the Vanderbilt Athletics Black and Gold Club.
Feb. 19
12:10 p.m.
We Want Our Bodies Back featuring Jessica Care Moore
Moore is a renowned poet, recording artist and producer.
Feb. 22
1 p.m.
Career Explorations with the United States Public Health Service Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group
Members of the U.S. Public Health Service Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group will share information about their role with the service and what career paths are open to students at Vanderbilt.
Registration link to come.
Feb. 23
Ongoing – participate at your leisure
A Black Man Who Jogs: A socially distant run in remembrance of Ahmaud Arbery (#stillrunning)
Run at your leisure on Feb. 23, the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Ahmaud Aubery. Document your run on social media. Participants will receive a free T-shirt.
Feb. 24
Noon
What’s Happening Wednesday: Ahmaud Aubery—One Year Later
From Ahmaud Arbery to the Black Lives Matter movement to the fight against social injustices, 2020 was a year of historical events. Join the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity and the Black Cultural Center for a discussion about the larger pattern of police brutality and misconduct and the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
Registration link to come.
Feb. 24
4:30 p.m.
LGBTQI Pride Training
Pride training aims to create a visible network of support for LGBTQ2S+ individuals and their allies by providing an avenue through which any member of the Vanderbilt community can show their support. (The training is approximately three hours and occurs two to three times per semester.)
Feb. 24
5 p.m.
Mental Health and Black America Today: Where are We?
The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Speaker Series will host a panel featuring six VUSN alumni who work in the psychiatric-mental health field, including Asa Briggs, Cerrissa Hugie, Tanya Sorrell, Anitra Ellerby-Brown, Carole Weddington Hunt and LeTizia Baxter Smith, who will serve as moderator.
Feb. 24
7 p.m.
No Place Like Home: The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center
Rosevelt Noble, director of the Black Cultural Center, will deliver a presentation for the Vanderbilt community detailing the history, mission, structure, resources and initiatives of the center.
Feb. 25
5 p.m.
She Black, She Boss and She Vandy! – Session 2
This two-part series celebrates Black female alumni leaders from Vanderbilt who have started their own company, nonprofit, school, etc. Each part in the series will feature three to four guest participants from differing sectors. Come be inspired by Vanderbilt Black excellence.
Feb. 25
6 p.m.
Black History Month-themed yoga session with Jo-Jo
De-stress and relax in a one-hour yoga session with Jo-Jo Jackson. The sessions during Black History Month will feature different Black female leaders. Participants will qualify to receive free inspirational posters featuring each of the leaders.
Feb. 26
12:10 p.m.
Reparations: An Issue Whose Time Has Come featuring Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century
More information to come.
Feb. 26
1 p.m.
RSJI Session 6: Plugging in to Black Lives Matter—A Conversation with the Nashville Chapter of Black Lives Matter
Session 6 of the BCC’s Racial and Social Justice Institute will focus on the efforts and initiatives led by the Nashville chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Join us for a powerful discussion about their work in criminal justice reform, policing, politics and more. Come be inspired to get involved.
In addition, Vanderbilt Divinity School will host Resilient Souls: We Rest Then We Rise, an online exhibit featuring the work of Nashville artist Ashley Mintz from Feb. 1 to March 12. Co-sponsored by the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies, the exhibit is part of the Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture program, which is designed to create future leaders for ministry who understand and can harness the creativity of the arts for theological reflection and contemporary worship. Learn more here.