Black History Month - Honoring and Promoting Social Justice Causes

In recognition of Black History Month, the University of Texas at Austin is taking a
proactive role in promoting awareness and understanding of the issues faced by the Black
community. Through a series of events and campaigns, the university is honoring the
accomplishments of Black individuals and promoting social justice causes. One of the most
anticipated events is Warfield Week, a series of virtual and in-person events honoring the life and
legacy of Dr. John Lewis Warfield. The Warfield Center for African and African American
Studies hosts the week-long celebration and features various events, including lectures,
performances, and discussions. Another notable event is the New Faculty Lightning Talk Series,
where Associate Professor of Architecture Charles L. Davis II will give a talk titled "From
Settler Colonies to Black Utopias: the Dialectics of American Architecture in Black and White."
This event is hosted on February 8th at the Engineering Education and Research Center (EER).
In addition to the various lectures and discussions, there will also be performances by renowned
artists such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Cécile
McLorin Salvant. These performances are hosted by Texas Performing Arts and take place on
February 10th and February 11th at the Bass Concert Hall.

The university also hosts various events focusing on mental health and self-love,
including a speaker event featuring Demetrius Harmon titled "Matters of the Heart" on
February 14th. This event is hosted by the African American Culture Committee and will be
held at the Texas Union. Additionally, University Unions are hosting "Culture Shock:
Tournament of Champions," a showcase of Black talent on February 15th at the William C.
Powers Student Activity Center Auditorium (WCP). This event will feature a range of talented
performers and will highlight the month's festivities. Another notable event is the #FreeTheHair
movement discussion, where Wendy Greene, founder of the #FreeTheHair movement and
professor of law at Drexel University, will discuss her legal scholarship and public advocacy.
This event is hosted by Texas Law's Office for Equity and Inclusion on February 18th at the
Eidman Courtroom. Along with this, the LBJ School of Public Affairs is hosting various events
throughout the month, including a student luncheon with Norma Cantu, former U.S. assistant
secretary of education for civil rights, and the annual Barbara Jordan National Forum featuring
Eddie Bernice Johnson, former U.S. Congresswoman and recipient of the Barbara Jordan Public
Service Award.

The university also hosts community events, such as the Solar Saturday Block Party,
which kicks off Black History Month at the George Washington Carver Museum on February
4th. Additionally, there will be a Black History Month Live Reading on February 23rd at the
Pflugerville Community Library. Finally, the School of Architecture is hosting an exhibition
titled "For Whites: Contextualizing Race and Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin."
This exhibition, held at the Bebane Gallery, will investigate the racist signage discovered in
Battle Hall during renovations in 2021. Through these events and campaigns, the University of
Texas at Austin is taking an active role in promoting awareness and understanding of the issues
faced by the Black community. By honoring the accomplishments of Black individuals and
promoting social justice causes, the university plays an important role in promoting a more
equitable and just society.