UWRF student Mayala Keita leads a dance session at the February 1 kickoff of Black History Month events at UW-River Falls. Several campus events are occurring this month to celebrate Black culture. 

Black History Month events inspire hope for improved race relations

Students, organizers believe discussions about differences can lead to positive change
 

Feb. 7, 2023 - As Angel Riley scanned the audience at the February 1 Black History Month kickoff event at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she was grateful for not only the number of attendees, but at how many white faces were gathered there.
 
Riley, a freshman at the university who is Black, said it can be difficult at times to be among a relatively small number of students with her skin color on a mainly white campus. But Riley said she was heartened by turnout at the event that is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of Black people and recognize ongoing racial struggles.
 
“The people who showed up tonight, a lot of them aren’t Black people,” Riley said. “There were people who came here to learn about Black people, about Black culture, and I was learning from them, too. To see that happening, to be a part of it, it makes you feel good.”
 
The event was organized by UWRF’s Black Student Union and the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Program. It included discussion of Black history, a participatory African dance demonstration, a quiz about Black history in America, the singing of the Black national anthem, and food.
 
Derek Bradley, DIB director, said continued efforts like Wednesday’s event that invite Black and white people to connect are especially important given ongoing racial strife across the U.S., as highlighted by Tyre Nichols’ recent death at the hands of police in Memphis.
 
“We’re bringing people together for a larger purpose, to show that we’re all just people with common interests, and tonight is an example of how we can do that,” Bradley said.

Other events at UW-River Falls throughout this month will offer additional opportunities for people to learn about Black history and culture. Conversations at those gatherings have the potential to educate and lead to greater understanding, Bradley said.

Janiyah Brewington, a UW-River Falls senior who is Black, said she hopes Black History Month events can serve to connect people of different backgrounds who might not otherwise meet. Such meetings “have the power to create change,” she said. 

Upcoming campus Black History Month events:

• Discussion of Malcolm X and who killed him at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Riverview Ballroom, University Center. 
• Soul Food Dinner hosted by the campus Black Student Union at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the DIB lounge on the second floor of Rodli Hall.
• Allyship Workshop at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the Chippewa River Room, University Center. 
• Diversity Roundtable Discussion at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Eau Galle River Room, University Center.
• Africa Night at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in Abbott Concert Hall, Kleinpell Fine Arts building.
• Closing Ceremony sponsored by the Black Student Union at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in the DIB lounge, second floor Rodli Hall.   

To learn more about the Black History Month events and whether registration is requested, visit the FalconsConnect calendar. UWRF Black History Month events are free and open to the public.