Detroit Mercy will celebrate Black History Month with a series of virtual events and programs throughout February. All events will be held virtually, with the exception of the African mask activity. Members of the Detroit Mercy community can learn more about how to participate in these programs by visiting Detroit Mercy Live.
Black History Month programming
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Book talk — Pulitzer Prize winner W. Caleb McDaniel on Sweet Taste of Liberty
6:30-8 p.m.
W. Caleb McDaniel, the Mary Gibbs Jones professor of Humanities and chair of the History department at Rice University, will discuss his book, Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America, which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in History. The book tells the story of Henrietta Wood, who twice survived slavery and successfully sued her captor to receive the largest-known amount of restitution for slavery awarded by a federal court in 1878.
Read more about McDaniel and Sweet Taste of Liberty.
Thursday, Feb. 4
Ecumenical Conversation: Overcoming the Chains of Injustice
7-8 p.m.
This interactive conversation, drawing inspiration from the biblical passage of Isaiah 58:6-7, is facilitated by our guest, Dexter Sullivan. Learn how the Christian faith can teach the world ways to overcome injustice.
Tuesday, Feb. 9 and Thursday, Feb. 11
Arts and crafts: Make an African mask
5-7 p.m.
Detroit Mercy students and employees can pick up materials from Quad Commons to create their own African mask.
Thursday, Feb. 11
Book talk — Jason Young on Rituals of Resistance
6:30-8 p.m.
Jason Young, an associate professor of History at the University of Michigan, will discuss his book, Rituals of Resistance: African Atlantic Religion in the Kongo and the Lowcountry Region of Georgia and South Carolina in the Era of Slavery. The book is an exploration of the religious and ritual practices linking west-central Africa and the lowcountry region of the United States during the slavery era.
Saturday, Feb. 13
Prayer Works: Praying with the Examen
9-10 a.m.
Dianne Schultz, a spiritual director from Gesu Catholic Church, facilitates a conversation and experience of the Examen. Register for Praying with the Examen.
Monday, Feb. 15
Love Stories from the Underground Railroad
1-2:30 p.m.
Roy E. Finkenbine, professor of History and director of the Black Abolitionist Archive at Detroit Mercy, presents the story of freedom seekers William and Louisa Swan, who found sanctuary among the Odawa and Ojibwa of northern Michigan during the Civil War. The Swans were befriended by their Native American neighbors, who helped them through a series of tragedies. Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC) will also perform a dramatic reading, drawn from Louisa’s letters.
Friday, Feb. 19
Music and dance: West African drumming
7-8 p.m.
Join us for a night filled with West African drumming, led by drummer Baba Elliott McCants III. Activities include a performance and discussion on the history and significance of African drumming.
Tuesday, Feb. 23
Inaugural W.E.B. Du Bois Community Symposium on Race
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ReBUILDetroit’s Science, Technology and Race learning community and the Akoma Center for Pan-Afrikan Research, Self Determination & Nationbuilding host an inaugural symposium on race on the 153rd anniversary of civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois’ birth.
This series of events is presented in conjunction with the African American Studies program, the Black Abolitionist Archive, the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company, the Religious Studies department, the Black Student Union, University Ministry and the Student Life Office.
Friday, Feb. 26
Music and dance: The history of jazz
7-8 p.m.
Learn about the history of a music genre that features African American roots with musician Ismail Douglas. ReBUILDetroit’s Institutional Development Core Coordinator Jahzara Mayes will speak on performance and demonstration.
Saturday, Feb. 20-March 13
Gesu Lent Reading Group on Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship
9-10:30 a.m.
Join the Gesu community on a four-week series to discuss and pray with the Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship. Through the prism of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Pope Francis discusses the social problems plaguing our world and challenges us with the Gospel values needed to build and rebuild relationships. “The spiritual stature of a person’s life is measured by love,” Francis says. This love, he adds, must grow beyond our families and nation to include all people, where the worth of every person is acknowledged. Register for the Gesu Lent Reading Group.