Innovation and Black History

Check the image above. One of our newest contributors, Samir M. Barrett, offered his artistic talents to our program by producing this image of students hanging out, with a few of them reading and apparently discussing titles by Richard Wright. Samir’s illustration—a contemporary scene that includes the presence of an important historical figure—is a fitting opening for what we hope will be a special month.

Over the next 28 days, we will coordinate no less than 28 activities—some public events around campus here at SIUE, some here on our blog, and a few through our outreach and correspondence efforts. We’re hoping that these activities will serve as foundations and frameworks for our movements during the course of the next 12 months. As always, we also hope to extend our knowledge building experiences.

Some of our projects include:



Black at SIUE – On Tuesday, February 2, from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m., in room 1201 of the Student Success Center, we will present highlights of responses to a questionnaire we received from African American students at SIUE concerning what it means to be black at SIUE.


Black Studies Reception – On Thursday, February 4, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m., in Peck Hall 3117, we host a small reception, showcasing some of our black studies projects. Our special guests will be Treasure Williams and her students from SWIC’s East St. Louis campus.


28 Racial Barriers -- Over the course of the month, we will identify approximately 28 terms and concepts related to barriers or problems that impede African American progress, well being, and educational efforts.

28 Empowering ideas – Over the course of the month, we will also identify approximately 28 ideas and concepts created or adapted by black people that have assisted them in addressing challenges.

28 Poets – As part of our continuing Promise of Poetry Project, we will pay careful attention to the work of 28 selected African American poets by providing short and collected commentary on how their works have enhanced our understanding of historical topics and figures.