The celebration of Black History Month is a powerful way to acknowledge the achievements of Black Americans, including those who too often have gone unrecognized.

Black History Month also offers an opportunity to salute the many Black leaders engaged in social change, including many Suffolk students and alumni making a difference in Boston and beyond.

A number of outstanding special events, community gatherings, and learning opportunities are happening at Suffolk as part of Black History Month. We recently kicked off our commemorations with the 18th Annual Creating The Dream Awards, recognizing Suffolk students, faculty, and staff who are instrumental in building an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for the University’s communities of color.

It was a wonderful evening, and there is more to come. Please engage as a member of our community at one or more of the events listed below:   

  • Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m. “On a New Note: A Virtual Concert and DEI Keynote Presentation by Jade Simmons” co-sponsored by Suffolk University, Simmons University, UMass Boston, and Bunker Hill Community College. Jade Simmons is a world-class pianist and a powerhouse motivational speaker. More details and registration here.
  • Friday, Feb. 18, 3-4:30 p.m. The FPLC Race on Campus group continues its reading series with The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones. The opening Zoom discussion will be held on February 18, with additional sessions on March 25 and April 22. Register here.
  • Thursday, Feb. 24. 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University will screen the extraordinary short documentary, The Panola Project, a film by Emmy-winning filmmaker and Suffolk professor, Jeremy Levine. After the screening, there will be a talk back with Jeremy and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber, Communication, Journalism, & Media. Register here.
  • Thursday, Feb. 24 through Friday, March 4. Ram Inclusion Week, a weeklong series of workshops, panel discussions, and other events that explore and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion at Suffolk.
  • Friday, Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk University Black Alumni Network’s annual Celebration of Black Excellence, held in Sargent Hall. This year seven alumni, faculty, and staff members will be honored for their contributions and leadership at Suffolk and in their communities.
  • Monday, Feb. 28. 12-1 p.m. Black History Month Trivia with the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group via Zoom.

This month’s slate of events is just one part of our ongoing campus-wide effort to deepen Suffolk’s longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating positive changes on campus and in the world around us. There is always more for us to learn and experience together as a community, and these events offer us a chance to do so together.

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Marisa J. Kelly
President