Peter Alexander, professor at the SIU School of Law, will be the keynote speaker for the Feb. 1 Black History Month kickoff. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
January 29, 2024
SIU recognizing Black History Month as a time of ancestral healing
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate Black History Month in February with a variety of special events including guest speakers, a variety show, a book drive, an oratorical contest, an awards ceremony and much more.
The theme is “Ancestral Healing,” and the vast majority of the events are free and open to the public.
“Black History Month is a public altar to the ancestors of the Afro/Black diaspora,” said Mildred Williams, coordinator of the Black Resource Center. "That is why the BRC chose the theme of ‘Ancestral Healing.’ We celebrate the month to remind ourselves of the strength, grit and resilience in our bloodlines and DNA. We empower each other to move forward down our individual pathways, knowing our paths are all interconnected.”
Kicking it off Feb. 1
The Black History Month kickoff, “What’s in a Name?” is set for noon-2 p.m. Feb. 1 in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium, featuring Peter Alexander, SIU School of Law professor, as the keynote speaker. In keeping with the theme, he will share how his connection with his elders and ancestors supported him on his pathway in life that currently has him teaching torts and law skills at SIU after a diverse career within the legal system.
An alumnus of SIU, Alexander earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and completed part of a degree in health education before earning his law degree at the Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He later attended the Dubuque Theological Seminary Christian Leadership Program for Commissioned Ruling Elders.
His teaching career began in 1992 at the Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State-Dickinson). Alexander went on to become dean of the SIU School of Law and then founding dean of the Indiana Institute of Technology law school. He has taught at other institutions of higher learning and worked in private practice.
The author of numerous published scholarly articles on diverse legal topics, he and his late father co-wrote a book, “It Takes a Village: The Integration of the Hillburn School System,” which highlights the efforts of Thomas Ulysses Alexander and Thurgood Marshall to integrate a school district about 40 miles northwest of New York City.
After Alexander’s presentation, participants will engage in an activity focused on learning about their names and how knowing what names mean can help people heal as well as a bit of epigenetics, the study of how behaviors and environment can change the way genes work.
Then at 4 p.m., catch the movie “Daughters of the Dust,” a 1991 film set in the Gullah community along the South Carolina coast in 1902. It shares the stories of three generations of a Black family just 50 years after slavery was abolished. The movie will be shown in the library as well with refreshments to follow.
Bringing about healing
Williams said several of the events are designed to promote discussion, learning and healing.
She will present “Addressing, Unpacking and Healing Misogynoir” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library. She said the dictionary defines “misogynoir” as a dislike of, contempt for or ingrained prejudice against Black women, and the event is a discussion to help create awareness of this ideology, provide space for addressing experiences and offer tools for healing. Online pre-registration is required.
Adjoa “AJ” Adu Poku, a master’s student in plants, soil and agricultural systems with a focus on food processing and engineering from Ghana, has seen firsthand the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on her home country and continent. During the three-part “Healing from Systems of Oppression Lecture and Discussion Series,” Poku will share her insights and historical background in hopes of filling in information gaps for audience members and dispelling misinformation to cultivate clarity and a greater sense of unity and healing.
Her presentations will take place 3-4:45 p.m. Feb. 14, 21 and 28 in Room 170 of the Student Services Building. Pre-registration is required; find registration information online. After Poku speaks, Williams will lead group discussions.
Local students can compete
An oratorical competition based upon “The Device,” a time-machine story by Eve L. Ewing, will challenge students from local schools to write speeches or poems in which they pose a question to their ancestors and then imagine the answers. The finals of the competition take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library, hosted by the BRC and the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Teachers and administrators can email brc@siu.edu for details about participating.
Flying high
Another highlight of this year’s celebration is “My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams: Black and an Officer in the U.S. Space Force” featuring Major Lydell L. Scott. You won’t want to miss the chance to hear Scott speak at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library as he shares about his journey from Waukegan High School graduate to enlisted airman in 1999 to officer in the U.S. Air Force.
During his 24-year career, he has served in Japan, Korea, Germany and different American locales. He earned his master’s degree in space systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University last year and serves as a U.S. Space Force leader for Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). He will discuss how his passion for his family, his country and STEM led him to where he is today and acknowledge and honor SIU alumnus the late Air Force Lt. Colonel Harvey Welch Jr. Pre-registration is requested.
Paying tribute
The inaugural Black Resource Center Alumni Luncheon and Awards Ceremony is both a celebration of the campus and area and a time to recognize noteworthy alumni. It will also serve as the Black History Month wrap-up. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Old Main Room at the Student Center.
Various people will be honored for their contributions and leadership. There will also be time for students and alumni to connect.
To learn more
Additional details about all of the events and the full calendar can be found on the Black Resource Center website.
Many of the events give students the opportunity to earn credits toward the ADEI Leadership Certificate.