Black History Month is a time to commemorate the Black individuals who have paved the path for us Black folk today. The sacrifices they made are what allow us to be at an institution like Northwestern, with the freedom to choose what we want to do with our lives. Northwestern commemorates Black History Month, and specifically the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., on its Evanston and Chicago campuses by hosting a series of events during Dream Week which is held this year from January 15 to 28. Just this past Monday, January 27th, Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement spoke at Northwestern about sexual violence and addressing it within communities of color. Northwestern also holds the annual Eva Jefferson Day where Evanston middle school students are invited to come learn about Martin Luther King Jr.

Then in February, there are a series of events that are more geared towards the student body. Harambee is one of my favorite of the month. It’s an amazing event where Black folks get together and celebrate with food, dance, and performances. There are also various community activities hosted at the Black House about what it means to be Black and the various intersections it has. From poetry, to painting, to game nights, there’s something for everyone and all throughout, you can learn about Black history. You can actually follow our Black History Month celebrations on social throughout this month using the hashtags #NorthwesternCelebrates #BlackHistoryMonth. If you’re looking to connect with a current student about discussing the Black/African American experience at Northwestern, you can connect with us here.

Feel free to engage with us by following our accounts and keeping up this and our many other important celebrations throughout the year!