SXU Hosts Variety of Events to Celebrate Black History Month
Celebrate Black History Month with the Saint Xavier University (SXU) community this February! Students, staff and faculty will host a number of events and activities fostering meaningful conversations and celebrating the incredible, innovative achievements and contributions made by the Black community.
Black History Month Library Display
All month long, the Robert and Mary Rita Murphy Stump Library will display #OwnVoice works selected by librarians, faculty, staff and students, ranging from children's books and literature to scholarly monographs.
Black Authors and Literature Book Drive
All month long, SGA is sponsoring a book drive to collect Black literature for a local Chicago elementary school. Books can be purchased from the Amazon wish list or dropped off by the SOC in WAC L-109B.
What Does Black History Month Mean to You? – Wednesday, February 1
Stop by the Black History Month table in the SXU Diner and share what Black History Month means to you. Create a button to celebrate the month and our history all year long!
Spirit Day: For the Culture – Wednesday, February 1
Meet at noon in the Diner Atrium for a photo and celebrate your heritage and roots all day by wearing African prints, dashikis and more.
Food for the Soul and Live Music – February 2, 9, 16 and 23
Each Thursday in February, the SXU Diner will offer a special food option in celebration of Black History Month. Check out the campus dining web pages for weekly lunch specials. In addition, enjoy music by SXU alum Tracy Baker with The Master Collection, who will share Black history through Black music.
Spirit Day: Black Excellence – Wednesday, February 8
Dress for success and meet at noon in the SXU Diner Atrium for a photo.
Black Friday: Hip-Hop Through the Decades – Friday, February 10
Join the community in celebrating Black culture by wearing various decades of hip-hop fashion and discussing music, talents, and much more in the Andrew Conference Center at 6:30 p.m.
DEI Lunch-and-Learn – Monday, February 13
The virtual February DEI lunch-and-learn at noon will feature Dr. Darvelle Hutchins, senior director of culture, diversity and inclusion for the New Orleans Saints.
Spirit Day: Black Out and Black and African American Student-Athlete Tailgate – Wednesday, February 15
Dress in all black and meet at the SXU basketball game tailgate in the Shannon Center at 5:30 p.m. for a photo! The game against Roosevelt University starts at 7 p.m.
Coffee Shop Series: Behind the Filter – Thursday, February 16
Join the community at noon in the Wiseman Student Lounge for a panel discussion on cultural suspension and authenticity, where invited panelists will discuss their experiences with "code switching."
A Journey of the Black Experience – Thursday, February 16
Join the community at 2 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room for an art exhibit featuring recent SXU graduate Tatyanna Taylor '22, who will discuss the complexities of race and Black and African American identity through her own artwork series of digital illustrations.
Black History Trivia – Friday, February 17
Play Black history-centered games in Pacelli Hall at 7 p.m. and win prizes!
Black History Month Mural Contest – Tuesday, February 21
Join the community at 3 p.m. in the second-floor S-Wing hallway for the unveiling of the winners of the Black History Month mural contest!
Black Down Memory Lane – Wednesday, February 22
Check out the Wiseman Student Lounge to walk through the decades, starting with the Harlem Renaissance and continuing through the start of the new millennium.
BIPOC Mental Health Awareness – Thursday, February 23
At 10 a.m. in the SXU Diner, the Counseling Center will discuss mental health concerns for the BIPOC community. There will be informational handouts and giveaways.
Spirit Day: Throwback Thursday – Thursday, February 23
Dress in your best '70s, '80s, '90s, or early '00s gear and meet at noon in the SXU Diner Atrium for a photo!
State of Diversity: How Far Have We Come? – Thursday, February 23
Join the community in the Wiseman Student Lounge at 1 p.m. for a guided student discussion on the state of diversity here at SXU -- where we are and what we can do better.
Sixth Annual Convening of Black Excellence – Thursday, February 23
This event, held in the Butler Reception Room at 6:30 p.m., offers students a great networking opportunity with successful Black professionals and pioneers in the Chicagoland area.
Black Student Union Annual Fashion Show – Friday, February 24
Join Black Student Union in McGuire Hall at 4 p.m. for the annual fashion show. There will be music, prizes and fun!
Ninth Annual African American Achievement Awards – Saturday, February 25
The Ninth Annual African American Achievement Awards will take place in McGuire Hall at 5 p.m. and recognize the contributions and achievements of Black students, faculty and staff at SXU. All guests are welcome to attend the reception directly following the awards ceremony in the Butler Reception Room.
#NaturalHairCare: Our Crown is Our Glory – Monday, February 27
Join the community at noon in the Wiseman Student Lounge for best practices for those with textured hair! You'll get tips to maintain your crown and play natural hair care trivia to win hair care giveaways.
Securing and Managing the Bag – Tuesday, February 28
Join the community for a financial literacy program in the Wiseman Student Lounge at noon.
"Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight, celebrate and build up the legacy and Black excellence our ancestors have left for us. The 2023 Black History Month celebration is definitely from us, the Black History Month Planning Committee, to you, SXU. We hope that everyone on campus will find time to come to an event to learn, develop and challenge themselves out of their comfort zones. The goal is to create space to celebrate our Black history 365 days of the year!" said Shavonn Nowlin, associate director of Residence Life.
Please join us this month to spend time learning, growing and supporting our students. For more information, contact Campus Life at 773-298-5114 or studentlife@sxu.edu.