Celebrate Black History Month @ ChathamU
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Black Student Union, Jennie King Mellon Library, and more to celebrate Black History Month at Chatham and throughout Pittsburgh this February. Below you’ll find a wide range of reading recommendations, virtual discussions, panels, creative gatherings, and more. Curious about what the city is hosting this Black History Month? Click the link for this event guide. Read on for Chatham’s event selection—
JKM Library Black History Virtual Display
Opens February 1
The JKM Library is celebrating Black History Month with a virtual library display. This display includes fiction, nonfiction, memoir and biography eBooks; Chatham specific information and history; documentaries and feature films available for streaming; national, local, academic, and historic resources; podcasts, music, blog posts, and more! All content is accessible from home for Chatham Community members. This display will go live on February 1st and remain accessible yearlong.
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Shifting Paradigms: Cooperative Economics
Friday, February 12 // 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Join us to hear Khamil Scantling, founder of Cocoapreneur Pgh, speak about the COVID-19 pandemic, the power of togetherness over individuality, and why the time is right to reimagine our local economy. We often only think about systems of distributing resources through a capitalistic lens, but what does a more humane, people-centered approach have to offer? Catch Khamil’s discussion on all of the above and more on February 12. Event sponsored by the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship.
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Diversity Dialogues: Black Families and Genealogies
Tuesday, February 16 // 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Please join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as we welcome alumna, Alonna J. Carter, to share about African American genealogy, the history of navigating genealogical spaces, and best practices for doing your own historical research and genealogical tracking of your family. Alonna J. Carter is the historian for the Edna B. McKenzie Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and a freelance writer. Her work has been featured in the New Pittsburgh Courier, the Western Pennsylvania Guide to Good Health, The Soul Pitt Quarterly, and Public Source. She founded Renaissance Writing LLC in 2016. In addition to writing, Alonna is a licensed Zumba® Fitness Instructor. From 2012 to 2013, she was the State Representative of Pennsylvania for the National Black Graduate Student Association. She has also served as a volunteer for the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society and One Young World. In 2018, she was named an honoree of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 under 40. Alonna is a member of the National Council on Public History, the African American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), and the African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS). Alonna holds a BA from Carlow University in Philosophy and History with a concentration in Pre-Law, and a Master of Professional Writing (MPW) from Chatham University. She is expected to receive a Master of Arts in Public History from Duquesne University in 2022.
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Holding Space on the Page - Special Edition: Lovecraft Country
Thursday, February 18 // 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join creative writers for a session of supported community writing! In this special edition event, we will focus on "Lovecraft Country." The HBO show combines issues of racism with Lovecraftian horror as the main character, Atticus, travels across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his father. Highlighting writing and speeches from James Baldwin, Gil Scott-Heron, and Sonia Sanchez, we will explore "Lovecraft Country" then invite you to reflect, hold space, and write. Writing prompts will encourage you to ask questions and make connections personally, professionally, and creatively. You are also welcome to simply read, reflect, and rest. No experience needed! Event sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MFA in Creative Writing Program, and Humanities Department.
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Langston Hughes Speakeasy featuring Educational Emcee, Tony Keith
Thursday, February 18 // 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Poet and artist, Tony Keith kicks off the annual BSU Langston Hughes Speakeasy by sharing work that honors Black art and its influence on today's culture. Chatham students and friends are welcome to join, observe featured readers, and participate in an open mic to share in the celebration of Black History Month on February 18th via Zoom. If you are interested in being a featured reader at the event, contact Elena Boyle at elena.boyle@chatham.edu. Event sponsored by Black Student Union and the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
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Just Films - "Black Feminist"
Tuesday, February 23 // 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
“Black Feminist” explores the double-edged sword of racial and gender oppression that Black women face in America. You can watch the film for free the month of February and then join us via Zoom for a panel discussion on February 23 at 11:30 am. The film screening link will be available from February 1 through February 28. The Zoom panel discussion link will be sent to registrants. Panelists include Zanah Thirus, Maiya Sinclair, and Sharon R. Higginbothan. Event sponsored by The Women's Institute, The Women & Girls Foundation, The Women's Law Project, and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh.
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CAB Cinema - "Moonlight"
Saturday, February 27 // 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the Chatham Activities Board present a feature of the Academy Award-winning movie, Moonlight (2016). With added precautions, the movie will be shown in Eddy Theatre and a link will be found in the ChathamU app so that on-campus residents can watch the movie in their residence halls.
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Special thanks to the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for sharing these events with us. If you have questions or concerns, please contact odei@chatham.edu.
