The event kicked off with live music performed by Milwaukee’s B~Free and the Quinten Farr Duo. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Ayanna Bost-Greer, student success coach at the Black Student Cultural Center, says a few words at the beginning of the Black History Month kickoff celebration with co-organizer John Contreras, the manager for sociocultural programming. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Chia Vang, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion and professor of history at UWM, speaks to the audience about the historical significance of Black History Month and how it got where it is now, and also speaks about how we can do better. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
UWM Chancellor Mark Mone applauds the Black Student Cultural Center for all it does for the university, and celebrates students' accomplishments. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Black Student Cultural Center staff (from left) Derrick Langston, Victoria Pryor, Ayanna Bost-Greer and Ramona Sledge (second from right) pause for a photo with Chancellor Mark Mone, Chia Vang, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion, John Contreras, manager for sociocultural programming. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Corinne Rosen of Black Voters Matter and Wisconsin Working Families Party speaks with an attendee about voting early. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Student Kalen Walker shows how to create a box of quotes by assembling a paper box and writing down what inspires them. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
The UWM Women's Resource Center shares info about resources and events that are centered around Black History Month, such as the Black Feminist Symposium on Feb. 16 and Sisters Like Me: Our Beautiful Black Hair on Feb. 20. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Vendor Chloe Longmire at a table for her business, Chase My Creations, apparel with a purpose. Chase My Creations aims to create transformative art and apparel to educate, empower and inspire anti-racist action in the hopes of creating a more just society. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
UWM alum and mixed media artist Toni Aleese speaks about her work with a potential buyer. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Lilo Allen, a Milwaukee based artist and business owner of Papyrus & Charms, displays her culturally conscious art that is wearable and handmade. Everything Allen makes honors her African American and Jamaican heritage. Allen works with the Bronzeville Collective in Milwaukee, a collaborative store that houses 30 local brands, emphasizing the representation of communities of color and queer creatives. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Tiffany Miller the owner of FlyBlooms, a handmade adornments boutique, has a conversation with a customer. Miller also works with the Bronzeville Collective, which Miller and Allen co-founded. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
UWM kicked off its celebration of Black History Month with an event in the concourse of the Student Union.
The event featured live music by Milwaukee’s B~Free and the Quinten Farr Duo, cheesecake from Baked Dreams Creations, crafts, a vendor fair featuring Milwaukee Black-owned businesses and more.
The kickoff was just the start of a four weeks of Black History Month events across campus.
