Black History Month at UWM is coordinated by a committee of campus stakeholders who plan a variety of programs throughout February in order to recognize and celebrate the history, culture and contributions of people of African descent in the United States.
This publication is sponsored by UWM Union Sociocultural Programming. Contributors include:
- Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Black Student Cultural Center
- Black Lens MKE
- Department of African & African Diaspora Studies
- Inclusive Excellence Center
- Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
- Sociocultural Programming
- UWM Career Planning & Resource Center
- UWM Multi-Cultural Centers
- UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium
- UWM Military and Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC)
- UWM LGBTRC & LGBTRC QTPOC
- Union Cinema
- Woman’s Resource Center
African American Film Series: Respect
2 Feb | Film Screening
6pm | Union Cinema
Respect tells the story of the first two decades of Aretha Franklin’s life, from a young child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom. This remarkable true story follows the music icon’s journey to find her voice and become the Queen of Soul.
Followed by a post-film discussion.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming and the Union Cinema.
Out of Mind
4 Feb | Social Event
2pm – 4pm | Black Student Cultural Center
Out of Mind is an event focusing on creative writing to relieve stress, with the chance to express through different forms of lyrical poetry. Students can collectively enjoy the activity in a relaxing atmosphere with music and aromatherapy.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: englis29@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Black Student Cultural Center.
African American Film Series: When Claude Got Shot
4 & 5 Feb | Film Screening
6pm & 5pm | Union Cinema
When Claude Got Shot follows three strangers – brought together by gun violence – to humanize, explore, and disrupt the narrative about so-called “Black-on-Black” crime in America. Part personal journey, part legal drama, the film illuminates systemic, societal issues relevant to the entire country from a deeply intimate, complex, and candid perspective.
Join us after the film on February 4th for a conversation with Claude Motley.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming and the Union Cinema.
African American Film Series: Bush Mama
4 & 5 Feb | Film Screening
9pm & 7pm | Union Cinema
Bush Mama is an unrelenting and powerfully moving look at the realities of inner-city poverty and systemic disenfranchisement of African Americans. The film follows Dorothy as she undergoes an ideological transformation from passive acceptance to being an agent of change. Ultimately uplifting, the film chronicles Dorothy’s awakening political consciousness and her assumption of her own self-worth.
Followed by a post-film discussion on February 5th.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming and the Union Cinema.
Black Panthers Study Abroad
8 Feb | Info Session
Noon – 1pm | Black Student Cultural Center
Study abroad is for everyone. Yep, you too. Attend this casual meet ‘n greet and connect with Black study abroad alums to hear about their experience of being Black and abroad. Learn about program options as well as scholarships and other financing opportunities. You may not make it to Wakanda, but you can study abroad.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: overseas@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Center for International Education and Black Student Cultural Center.
Lyrical Sanctuary’s 20th Anniversary Celebration: Featuring Derrick Harriell and Mikey Cody Apollo
9 Feb | Workshop, Open Mic & Feature Performance
7-7:45pm | Writing Workshop hosted by Derrick Harriell | Inclusive Excellence Center
8-10pm |Open Mic and Feature Performance | Fireside Lounge
Lyrical Sanctuary, UWM’s open mic celebrates its 20th anniversity this semester!
We’re kicking off the celebration with two important members of the Lyrical Community, Derrick Harriell and Mikey Cody Apollo. Derrick Harriell is the Otillie Schillig Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi. His poem collections are Cotton (Aquarius Press- Willow Books 2010), Ropes (Aquarius Press- Willow Books 2013- winner of the 2014 Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Poetry Book Award), and Stripper in Wonderland (LSU Press 2017). Mikey Cody Apollo is the author of the self-published collection of poetry titled Black Girls, Silence, and Other Things Made of Gold, which has been used in classrooms, workshops, and book clubs across the United States.
Don’t miss the writing workshop hosted by Derrick Harriell at 7pm before the open mic!
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming.
Social Good Morning and Well Entrepreneur Present: Exploring Equity in Wellbeing
11 Feb | Discussion
9am – 10:30am | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center Atrium
Join for a conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion in wellbeing startups, businesses, and organizations. Explore these topics from the experiences of three innovators. Be inspired by leaders who are creating new paths of equitable wellbeing in their work and community.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: nicole@uwmrf.org.
Sponsored by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center.
Sisters Like Me
11 Feb | Conference
5pm-7pm | Union Fireside Lounge
This event is for Black women-identified students to come together as a community to discuss “Reflections Inside and Out”. Black women leaders, on and off campus, will be facilitating the conversation while also sharing their experiences.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: john3265@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center & the Black Student Cultural Center.
Stars, Stories, and Rhythms of Africa
16 Feb | Stargazing & Performance
6pm – 8pm | UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium, Physics Building 139
Celebrate Black History Month under the stars! Join us for a night of live music, dancing, storytelling, and stargazing in different African cities. This free event is cosponsored by the Black Student Cultural Center and Sociocultural Programming at UWM. The program will include indoor stargazing sessions of the night sky followed by the opportunity to ask questions. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: planetarium@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Manfred Olson Planetarium, Sociocultural Programming, the Black Student Cultural Center, and the Black Student Union.
African American Film Series: Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America17 Feb | Film Screening 6:30pm | Oriental Theatre
Who We Are interweaves lecture, personal anecdotes, interviews, and shocking revelations to develop a timeline of anti-Black racism in the United States, from slavery to the modern myth of a post-racial America.
Black Lens spotlights the incredible work of African American filmmakers that explore stories and topics that are rooted in the Black community, but are relevant to a variety of audiences.
UWM Students can pick up a free ticket at the Student Involvement front desk, Union 353. Students must provide their own transportation to the Oriental Theatre.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming and Black Lens.
Brush Box Event with BSCC: Self Love is the Best Love
18 Feb | Explore Milwaukee
1pm – 3pm | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
Black identified students are invited to develop their self-esteem and self-love through free creative arts and crafts from a local Black owned business, Brush Box. Careful, there will be glitter.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: alcanta3@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Black Student Cultural Center and the Black Student Union.
Milwaukee Food Tours
19 Feb | Explore Milwaukee
Registration begins at 12:30pm, bus leaves at 1 pm, return to campus at 4pm | Departs from Union Concourse
Join the Campus Activities Board as we go around the city of Milwaukee learning about Milwaukee’s own Black history as well as trying food from three different Black-owned restaurants! Transportation is provided and food costs are covered!
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: cabuwm@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, the Black Student Cultural Center, and the Black Student Union.
UWM Multicultural Blood Drive
22 Feb | Blood Drive
10am – 3pm | Union Fireside Lounge
Support the Multicultural Blood Drive by signing up: Link to Appointment Schedule: https://bit.ly/uwmfeb22; appointment not necessary. Blood from a donor of a similar ethnic background is less likely to be rejected by the patient and often results in fewer complications after a transfusion. Increasing the proportion of diverse blood donations is essential to reducing blood transfusion complications, particularly in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: pryor@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Black Student Cultural Center, the Black Student Union, and Versiti/Blood Center of Wisconsin.
2022 Diversity Career Fair
23 Feb | Fair and Expo
10am – 2pm | Union Wisconsin Room
UW-Milwaukee Diversity Career Fair is a great way to meet employers seeking students and alumni for part-time jobs, internships, and full-time career opportunities. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with employers and graduate school representatives looking for students and alumni from ALL MAJORS and exceptional qualities. View attending employers on Handshake: uwm.joinhandshake.com
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: careerplan@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Success Centers and the Career Planning and Resource Center.
Black History Month Closing Celebration
23 Feb | Performance
11:30am – 1:30pm | Union Concourse
Come celebrate Black History Month with live music and a performance by Ko-Thi Dance Company in the Concourse! Please come by and celebrate Black History Month with us!
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Black Student Cultural Center and Sociocultural Programming
African American Film Series: King Richard
23 Feb | Film Screening
6pm | Union Cinema
Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his two daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on tennis courts in Compton, Calif., Richard shapes the girls’ unyielding commitment and keen intuition. Together, the Williams family defies seemingly insurmountable odds and the prevailing expectations laid before them.
Followed by a post-film discussion.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: sociocul@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming and the Union Cinema.
Black Student Union Ebony Gala
26 Feb | Gala
7pm – 10pm | UWM Union Fireside Lounge
A showcase celebrating African and African American culture.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: tgshaw@uwm.edu or rlgoins@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Black Student Union at UWM.
Black Feminist Symposium
26 Feb | Symposium
10am – 3pm | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
The annual Black Feminist Symposium aims to present the UWM campus and community with resources, workshops, and engaging discussions that center the theory and practice of Black feminism in an accessible way.
For more information, or to request accommodations, please contact: john3265@uwm.edu.
Sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center and the Black Student Cultural Center.