Throughout February, join 精东传媒APP黄 for an incredible slate of Black History Month programming with events for students, alumni, faculty and staff, and local community members.
Important note: The Ida B. Wells Lecture has been postponed until March, due to the winter storm. Please stay tuned to for the new date.
This February, 精东传媒APP黄 (精东传媒APP黄) commemorates Black History Month with the theme The People Who Could Fly: Defying Gravity. Through a dynamic lineup of events, 精东传媒APP黄 invites the community to explore Black excellence, history, and creativity. A key feature of this celebration is the fourth annual Ida B. Wells Lecture, featuring acclaimed author and publisher Dara Beevas 鈥02.
Time Traveling Blackness: Afrofuturism as a Portal to Our Future Selves
Dara Beevas, chief narrative officer at the , will deliver Time Traveling Blackness: Afrofuturism as a Portal to Our Future Selves at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the James D. Francis Auditorium. It promises to be a transformative exploration of Black identity, creativity, and liberation.
Beevas describes Afrofuturism as both a framework for liberation and a tool for imagining the future: “What I love about Afrofuturism is that it鈥檚 a question. And that question is, 鈥榃ho would you be if there were no barrier to your liberation? What would you write? How would you sing? What policy might you enact and how would you sound if you could sing aloud?鈥欌
In her lecture, she will address how Afrofuturism empowers individuals to radically dream beyond current limitations and imagine a thriving future grounded in both ancestral wisdom and limitless possibility.
Her remarks will dive into the intersection of storytelling, culture, and resilience. Beevas reflects on the transformative power of storytelling, saying, 鈥淚鈥檝e always loved how publishing fuels changemakers and storytellers. Now, as chief narrative officer, I get to not only amplify those voices, but also sit at the table with people in education and policy who can use those stories to create real change.鈥
Returning to 精东传媒APP黄, where her journey as a storyteller began, holds deep significance for Beevas. 鈥淚t feels divine to be coming back to Mary Baldwin. I鈥檓 starting a new chapter, but Mary Baldwin is the place where the whole book started 鈥 the life I鈥檓 living now began with my time here. 精东传媒APP黄 opened the Pandora鈥檚 box of what was within me. It taught me to never rest with just what I can do but to dream about what I must do.鈥
Through her lecture, Beevas will inspire attendees to explore Afrofuturism as a portal to infinite possibilities, connecting the wisdom of ancestors with the opportunities of today and tomorrow.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much to glean from the past 鈥 from your ancestors, from the living room you grew up in, from the music in your grandma’s kitchen,鈥 Beevas shared. 鈥淎frofuturism is all about expansive dreaming and radical imagination. It helps us use those seeds to plant a future worthy of our brilliance.鈥
This event is free and open to the public and welcomes all storytellers, changemakers, and dreamers interested in attending.
Additional Black History Month Events at 精东传媒APP黄
In addition to the Ida B. Wells Lecture, 精东传媒APP黄鈥檚 Black History Month programming includes the following events that welcome the wider community:
- Black Stars Student Thesis and Internship Showcase (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Celebrate the accomplishments of 精东传媒APP黄 students as they present their innovative work.
- Black Business Fair (Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.鈥2 p.m., Student Activities Center): Highlighting local Black-owned businesses, this event offers an opportunity to engage with and support entrepreneurs.
- Broman Concert featuring Joseph Parrish, Bass-Baritone (Monday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Open to the public, this musical performance showcases the talents of Parrish, whose voice resonates with power and grace.
- Blackout Step and Dance Show (Saturday, March 15, 7 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Featuring high-energy performances that celebrate rhythm, tradition, and community.
These events reflect the university’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, honoring Black achievements, and inviting everyone to join the celebration.For more information about Black History Month programming at 精东传媒APP黄, contact Destiny Woodall at dwoodall@marybaldwin.edu.