Dominique Morgan, an Omaha native and the national director of Black and Pink, the largest prison abolitionist organization in the United States, will present “The Untapped Power of Blackness — Unpacking the Necessary Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Folx in Black Community Building,” as a part of Black History Month today at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Morgan’s presentation will discuss the history of the Black Queer experience, the power of solidity and the impact of dismantling perceived roadblocks to Black liberation that are rooted in white supremacy, anti-blackness, transphobia and homophobia.
Morgan is the recipient of the “Young, Black and Influential” Award for Advocacy, Omaha Chamber Young Professionals ChangeMaker Award, and the NAACP Freedom Fighter Award.
Throughout the month, the UNMC community is encouraged to participate in as many events as scheduling allows, keeping track of the events attended by using the Black History Month Online Passport. Those who participate in four or more events and turn in their passport to Kelsey Scroggin via email by 5 p.m. Feb. 26 will be eligible to win a prize. Print the passport here.
A preview of additional events taking place this month are below:
Feb. 18: Soul food will be available for purchase in the Nebraska and Clarkson Cafes today from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The menu will include fried chicken, collard greens with smoked turkey, mac & cheese, cornbread and peach cobbler.
Feb. 18: Eric Ewing, executive director of The Great Plains Black History Museum, will provide a virtual tour and presentation of the museum. The Great Plains Black History Museum is dedicated to publicizing and preserving the achievements of the region’s vibrant African-American heritage. This virtual presentation will take place from 11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m., via Zoom.
There will be a second presentation and tour of the museum on Feb. 26, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. via Zoom for those unable to attend on Feb. 18.
Feb. 18: The second part of the “History of Health” panel will take place at 5 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists will discuss present-day attitudes and beliefs surrounding health care and measures to take for the system to work for black communities focusing on education, access and representation. Panelists include: Amissabah Kanley, MD, pediatric specialist; Joelle Simpson, MD, medical director for emergency preparedness at Children’s National; and Sheritta Strong, MD, UNMC director of inclusion and assistant professor in the department of psychiatry.
Feb. 19: The Itis Food Truck will be serving soul food between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The food truck will be parked in the cutout outside of the MSC Building.
Feb. 24: Barry Thomas, owner of Thomas Business Services, will speak on “Nebraska’s Black History Ties,” at 10 a.m. via Zoom. This event will be focused on the examination of Omaha and Nebraska’s rich and expansive African and African American history.
Feb. 24: The Boiling Claws and K Lee Sweet Sips Food Trucks will be serving soul food between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Trucks will be parked in the cutout outside of the MSC Building.
Feb. 26: Soul food will be available for purchase in the Nebraska and Clarkson Cafes today from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The menu will include catfish, spaghetti with meat sauce, collard greens, black eyed peas, cornbread and sweet potato pie.
For questions regarding this year’s Black History Month events or to be part of the 2022 planning committee, please contact Giovanni Jones.
The committee, led by Giovanni, has done a great job in this year's programs!