This month, Westminster College will recognize Black History Month with a series of events celebrating Black excellence and resilience. The scheduled events for the campus community are as follows:

Art of Resilience: Black Excellence Paint and Affirmations Night will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Cultural Center of McKelvey Campus Center. Designed as a creative and reflective experience, participants will paint accompanied by positive affirmations. Supplies and refreshments will be provided.

Lunch & Learn with Dr. Joselyn Parker ’07 will be held from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Witherspoon Rooms of McKelvey Campus Center. Parker, a 2007 Westminster graduate, is a researcher, educator and advocate dedicated to dismantling systemic inequities and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable, particularly those at the intersections of Black and queer identities. Parker, who earned a doctorate in Multicultural and Equity Studies in Education from The Ohio State University, will highlight her impactful work and share her journey of excellence and resilience.

A Taste of Heritage: Haitian Cuisine & Open Mic Night will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Cultural Center of McKelvey Campus Center.  The event will celebrate rich Haitian culinary traditions and poetic expressions. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste Haitian food from Haitian Sensation in Sharon, Pa.

Resilience in Action: Black Mental Health with Julius Boatwright will take place from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Cultural Center of McKelvey Campus Center. Boatwright, a licensed clinical social worker, is the founder and executive director of Steel Smiling, a support organization that connects Black community members in Allegheny County to mental health resources. Boatwright will discuss the challenges facing Black Americans and provide actionable steps for leveraging resilience through mind, body and spirit wellness.

For more information about Westminster’s Black History Month events, please contact Dr. Sherese Newell, director of belonging, opportunity and success, at 724-946-7179 or by email at newellsg@westminster.edu.

Pictured above are Dr. Joselyn Parker ’07, left, and Julius Boatwright, right

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