Celebrate and educate: Black History Month

February marks Black History Month, and UNMC has a number of events planned to celebrate and educate the campus community about African-American culture.

Myles Davis

Kicking off UNMC's Black History Month observance is a presentation with Myles Davis, president and executive director of NOISE. Davis’s presentation will discuss existing media biases and the hope for a future of nonbiased journalism. This will take place on Feb. 2 at noon via Zoom.

Feb 8: A Black History Month trivia challenge will be published in UNMC Today. The challenge will award prizes, donated by the UNMC Bookstore, the Munroe-Meyer Institute, the UNMC Department of Human Resources and the Office of Inclusion. Five people will be chosen at random from among those who answer all the questions correctly. There will be a grand prize for the first person to respond with all of the correct answers. Submissions must be sent to Kelsey Scroggin via email no later than 3 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Feb. 10: LeClara Gilreath, history teacher at Duchesne Academy will be presenting on historic accomplishments of African-Americans and how these accomplishments can and should be used as motivation for future progress. Her presentation will be at 11 a.m. via Zoom.

Feb. 16: Jade R Rogers, educator and historian will host a candid conversation about history exploring culture, Black resistance and legislation on the lives of Black people. This presentation will start at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Leo Louis II

Feb. 17: Leo Louis II, human, community organizer and board president of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation will present his talk "Stay Safe: The definition of Cultural Insecurity in Black America."

This provocative lecture defines the concept of "cultural insecurity" offering life-changing insights into the "Black" experience in America. Not offering your typical conversation about race, Leo Louis II brings a thoughtful prospective that resonates with the common experience of ALL "Americans." "Stay Safe" renews faith in the race dialogue without shame or guilt, bringing a simple yet eye opening truth.

Louis is an Omaha native who has experience in various disciplines including gang intervention, urban farming, entrepreneurship, public speaking, fatherhood and more. His presentation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Feb. 17: At 5:30 p.m., Sheritta Strong, MD, assistant vice chancellor of inclusion at UNMC, will moderate a discussion "Amplifying Black Women in Sciences" with guest speaker Rae Wynn Grant, PhD, as part of the Omaha Performing Arts Voices Amplified series. The event is free. More information can be found here.

Feb. 18: Abby Jung, director of education services at The Durham Museum will provide a virtual walking tour of the Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photographs by Jerry Dantzic exhibit. In addition to this virtual tour, attendees will also enjoy a look at images from "A Territory of Sound: African American Jazz Orchestras in Early 20th Century Omaha," a companion exhibit created by the museum. This virtual presentation will take place at noon via Zoom.

Feb. 25: A "Culture of Healing" panel will take place via Zoom at noon. This interactive panel will address Omaha’s segregation and disparities in health care. Panelist include Keyonna King, DrPH, associate professor in the College of Public Health, Sharon Stoolman, MD, associate professor in the College of Medicine, and Aledia Mikale, co-founder of Omaha Black Doula Association.

Due to updated campus guidance on COVID-19, this year’s signature event Gospel Fest, will be postponed until a later date.