Celebrating Black History Month

Martin Luther KingThe 不良研究所 is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Join us for a series of events featuring 不良研究所 students, faculty and community members who will recall their experiences, reflect on Black history and the current issues of social justice our country faces, and share steps we can all take to create a more just society.

2025 Black History Month Events

 

MLK MarchDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March for Justice

Jan. 20, 2025, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

不良研究所 students, staff and faculty will be participating in the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. March organized by the City of San Antonio on Jan. 20. 不良研究所 transportation will be provided.

For more information, please visit the City of San Antonio website or contact Dr. Arturo Chavez by email at aechavez@uiwtx.edu.

 

Adult EducationThe Role of Black American Gospel & Spiritual Music Traditions: Inspirational Adult Education Pedagogy

Feb. 3 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom and Online

This presentation and roundtable discussions 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 Round Tables comprised of scholars, students, Christians, and others who will discuss the historical roots of Black American music and how the balance between secular artistry and the movement of the charismata may conflict with their messaging designed for a diverse range of parishioners (emerging adults and church Elders) juxtaposition those outside the more formal religious spaces of African American worship and discipleship praxis.  Participants will deconstruct the impact of social media and mass media as vehicles for propaganda that has led to or promoted a phenomenon described as the "generation of the unchurched." We will also examine the fallout of singing the Life Every Voice and Sing as part of the 2024 NFL Superbowl during Black History Month.  In our analysis, we will deconstruct the Gospel Music origins of the song dubbed the Black National Anthem and its implication for triggering outcries about its performance and lyrics at the annual event.  We will explore how scholarship and empirical research might be introduced to pastoral staff and volunteers to enhance relevant civic and community engagement grounded in faith-based teaching and values.

Join us in person or online using a secure virtual link.

Contact:  Dr. Lisa Brown, Dreeben School of Education
Email: lrbrown5@uiwtx.edu

Event Co-Presenters

Dr. Lisa Brown

Dr. Lisa Brown

不良研究所

Dr. Marc Gray

Dr. Marc Gray Jr.

Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio

Lisa Caldwell

Lisa Caldwell

不良研究所 PhD Student, Macedonia Baptist Church

Dr. Kevin Goode

Dr. Kevin Goode

The Church of the Harvest Church of God (Ohio)

Dr. Paulette Isaac Savage

Dr. Paulette Isaac-Savage

University of Missouri-St. Louis

 

Post Election “Table Top” Conversation on Race & Gender

Feb. 6 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Student Engagement Center (SEC) 2030-2031

As One We Will (AOWW) and the 不良研究所 Office of DEI invite you to join us for safe and brave conversation on what we are learning about ourselves and our country in this post-election time of uncertainty. Regardless of who you voted for, we can agree that our country and our families are painfully divided. Respectful dialogue and conversation – across differences -can help us heal as individuals and communities. We especially want to focus on what the election is teaching us about racial and gender differences.

Contact:  Taylor Demby, “As One We Will” Student Organization
Email: demby@student.uiwtx.edu

 

Dr. Izzeldin AbuelaishA Global Expert on “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease”   

Feb. 17, 18 & 19

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish will share in San Antonio during the week of Feb. 16, 2025. Abuelaish is a Palestinian Canadian physician, and an internationally recognized human rights and inspirational peace activist devoted to advancing health and educational opportunities for women and girls in the Middle East. He started after his daughters were killed.

He has received 20 Honorary Doctorates and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is being brought to San Antonio by the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office. In the 1800’s, when ten percent of the population of San Antonio had died of contagious diseases, the Incarnate Word Sisters started the first public health care in response to the plea of the mayor. In that tradition of care for life, the Sisters host Dr. Abuelaish.

Monday, Feb 17, 7 p.m. 

Doctors’ Round Table: “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease” with Key Medical Leaders and Educators from the Community

  • Free and open to the public
  • Student Engagement Center Ballroom
  • Join us for dinner at 5:45 p.m., .

Tuesday, Feb 18, 7 p.m. 

“Lift a Daughter—For Life” Benefit Dinner

  • We support Dr. Abuelaish's foundation's work to educate Middle Eastern women to contribute to more peaceful societies.
  • The Village’s CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Wednesday, Feb 19, 7 p.m. 

Dr. Abuelaish will speak about his book “I Shall Not Hate”

  • The Village’s CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Contact: Sister Martha Ann Kirk
Email: kirk@uiwtx.edu

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, an internationally recognized medical researcher, human rights and peace activist, will be in San Antonio to present and discuss his research on “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease.”

A life-long cultural bridge-builder born and raised in Gaza, he was one of the first Palestinian doctors to work in both Israeli and Palestinian hospitals. He believes that health care providers can be human equalizers, socializers, harmonizers and stabilizers.

Dr. Abuelaish’s book, I Shall not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity, speaks to the deaths of three of his teen-aged daughters and his niece in the Gaza war of 2009. Dr. Abuelaish has transformed this tragedy into an even stronger commitment to heal hatred and revenge with peace and forgiveness. I Shall not Hate has been translated into 23 languages and made into a film.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel said about Abuelaish’s book I Shall Not Hate:

“This story is a necessary lesson against hatred and revenge.”

Turning trauma into opportunity, Dr. Abuelaish started Daughters for Life Foundation in their memory. The foundation gives scholarships to young Middle Eastern women. He is dedicated to healing hatred and educating young women and believes women are a key to transforming and healing the Middle East.

He currently lives in Toronto where he is a full professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He holds twenty honorary doctorates and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

Jess MahoganyA Spoken Word Workshop with Jess Mahogany

Feb. 19 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom

Jess Mahogany brings magnificent and eye-opening, real-life struggles to life with her words. She will perform several of her powerful pieces and inspire participants to express their stories through the spoken word. The performance and workshop will explore the theme of “intersectionality” among identity, history, politics, spirituality, gender, class and race.

Contact: Arturo Chavez, Mission & Ministry – Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Email: aechavez@uiwtx.edu

 

不良研究所 Women's Basketball Black Out for Black History GameBlack Out for Black History Game, Lamar vs 不良研究所

Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m.

McDermott Convocation Center

Come out and support the 不良研究所 Basketball team as they take on Lamar University! 不良研究所 players and coaches will be dressed in black in observance of the Black Out for Black History and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for 不良研究所 Athletics during the celebration of Black History Month.

Game attendees are encouraged to wear black in solidarity with the 不良研究所 community in its ongoing pursuit to support racial justice, diversity and equality for all.

Contact: Kenyon Spears, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Email: kdspears@uiwtx.edu

 

swans“Cygne Noir” Runway Show

Feb 21 | 6:30-8 p.m.

Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom

A striking runway show that blends elegance and edge, Cygne Noir draws inspiration from Black Swan, Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, and personal journeys. Exploring themes of transformation, identity, and unpredictability, this show celebrates creativity and resilience through bold, couture-inspired designs.

Contact: Dan Williams, As One We Will (AOWW) Student Organization and School of Fashion
Email: dawilli6@student.uiwtx.edu

 

不良研究所 Women's Basketball Black Out for Black History GameBlack Out for Black History Game, Lamar vs 不良研究所

Feb. 24 | 6:30 p.m. 

McDermott Convocation Center

Come out and support the 不良研究所 Basketball team as they take on Lamar University! 不良研究所 players and coaches will be dressed in black in observance of the Black Out for Black History and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for 不良研究所 Athletics during the celebration of Black History Month.

Game attendees are encouraged to wear black in solidarity with the 不良研究所 community in its ongoing pursuit to support racial justice, diversity and equality for all.

Contact: Kenyon Spears, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Email: kdspears@uiwtx.edu

 

model不良研究所 African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show

Feb. 27 | 6-8 p.m.

Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom

Experience fashion, music, art and gifts from the African continent and African Caribbean cultures. This event is open to the public and free to all 不良研究所 community members with a 不良研究所 ID. Special thanks to community organizer Nichelle Hosley of Interior Design Meets Fashion.

Hosted by the African Student Organization and Women Connecting Globally.

Contact: Sheena Connell, International Office
Email: sconnell@uiwtx.edu