The history of Denver and the American West cannot be accurately told without also recognizing the contributions and achievements of African Americans. Black History Month is already in full swing, but there are still ample opportunities at the University of Denver and in the surrounding communities to engage in celebrations of the rich history of Black culture.
Students need not look far from campus to find engaging events and celebrations of Black culture this month. Black Community Initiatives (BCI), an organization within DU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, has a full list of events designed to celebrate and embrace Black culture.
BCI has already hosted several inspirational and profound events on campus. For example, this year’s Black History Month was welcomed in on Feb. 1 by a special Lamont Wind Ensemble concert at the Newman Center. This performance featured pieces honoring the legacy of leaders of the Civil Rights Movement such as Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The following Tuesday, Feb. 7, BCI hosted a Black Table Talk dedicated to helping the Black community process the death of Tyre Nichols. This event was open to all Black students, faculty and staff, and a second Table Talk was held the following Thursday for DU staff and faculty exclusively.
There are more BCI events yet to come throughout the rest of February. This Tuesday, Feb. 14, BCI will be celebrating “Black Love” with a host of activities and attractions. This event will be held at BCI’s booth in the Community Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also coming this week is another Black Table Talk on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5-6:30 p.m. in room 150 of the Chambers Center. These talks are meant to share Black perspectives on crucial topics in the Black Community.
Further out, on Feb. 21, Dr. Chloe Wright will lead “Lunch and Learn: Coping and Self Care in the Age of Recorded Police Violence.” The talk will discuss how the prevalence of body-cam footage and other recordings of police violence affects how Black Americans engage with and process cases of police brutality. The event will run from 12-1:15 p.m. in Community Commons room 1700.
The wider Denver area also offers a variety of options for celebrating African American culture and achievements in the Black community. Denver Public Art, for example, has put together a collection of public artworks around Denver created by Black artists. There is also an interactive map of the collection on the website, which provides details on each of the works.
Additionally, on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, a variety of venues situated on historic Welton Street in Denver’s Five Points district will be hosting jazz performances and celebrations of Five Points’ rich musical history.
Black History Month serves as an opportunity for communities to come together in recognition of the strength and vibrance of Black communities around the world. By educating ourselves on the history of the Black diaspora, we open ourselves to truly appreciating the contributions and accomplishments of the Black community. To stay connected with celebrations of Black culture at DU, check out student-led organizations like the Black Student Alliance.
For more information on DU’s Black Community Initiatives and its mission, see its website. For further information and updates on upcoming BCI events, check out their official Instagram and Twitter accounts.
