@SMC44Days | 44 Days of Honoring Black History and Culture at Saint Mary's College of CA

honoring

44 days of

black

History + culture

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44 DAYS GOOGLE CALENDAR

campus events

this week!

WEEKLY EVENT SERIES W/ THE INTERCULTURAL CENTER

Black Student Union (BSU)

Soulful Social

Join us for an evening of unity and nourishment at the Soulful Tuesday Social!

Hosted by BSU and the IC, this gathering is a wonderful opportunity for the SMC community to engage in meaningful conversations over a shared meal. We will have food from Angeline's and L&L Hawaiian BBQ. Bring your appetite for food and dialogue as we come together to celebrate and connect.

🍲 Enjoy a delectable shared meal, fostering community and camaraderie.

🗨️ Participate in engaging and meaningful conversations, creating bonds and understanding.

🎉 Experience a warm and welcoming atmosphere, embodying the spirit of unity and togetherness.

Tue, February 13

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Intercultural Center

Art Exhibition & Opening Celebration

with Afro-Cuban artist Harmonia Rosales’

ΩA Omega Alpha

Wednesday, February 7

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saint Mary's College Museum of Art

more than just aN ARTIST FEATURE;

it's community!

Join for the Museum of Art's opening celebration of three new exhibitions.

Experience the groundbreaking "ΩA Omega Alpha" exhibition by Harmonia Rosales, whose work powerfully confronts traditional narratives and the Eurocentric male gaze, infusing Afro-Cuban religious stories into classical Western imagery. This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on faith, art history, and cultural representation, challenging viewers to see the world anew.

Sunday Student–Led Liturgy w/

Fr. Kwame Assenyoh

celebration of REV. DR. MLK JR.

Sunday, February 18

8:00 PM

SMC Chapel

Embrace warmth, unity, and the spirit of fellowship!

Our student-led liturgy is not just a gathering; it is a vibrant homage to the enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the rich tapestry of Black culture and community.

Our College liturgies provide a viable witness to the Catholic identity and sacramental life of the College community. This Sunday evening, we invite you to a uniquely impactful celebration within the Saint Mary's College Chapel. This special liturgy offers faith, cultural heritage, and communal aspiration, reflecting our shared commitment to justice, peace, and the power of community.

ALLYSHIP AND CO-CONSPIRATORS SERIES

Risking Difficult Dialogues

SAFE SPACE TO BRAVE SPACES

Monday, February 12

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Friday, February 16

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Zoom Meeting

Join Suzy Thomas and dr. elita layà for an enlightening journey on how community agreements can foster genuine and critical conversations, particularly around challenging Seminar texts.

Drawing inspiration from "Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces" by Arao & Clemens, the session is designed to equip Gaels with strategies for nurturing classrooms where both students and teachers can experience growth through the lens of anti-oppression and social justice.

🛠️ Practical tools for creating 'Brave Spaces' in educational environments.

💬 Techniques to encourage authentic dialogue and engagement with complex subjects.

🎓 Insights into integrating social justice education into your teaching practice.

FEBRUARY

campus events

Day

Thursday, February 15

Harmonia Rosales:

ΩA Omega Alpha

Art Exhibition & Opening Celebration

Location

Time

SMC Museum of Art

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Description

Featuring

Sponsored By

Harmonia Rosales, a visionary artist known for her thought-provoking blend of Afro-Cuban religious narratives with classical Western art forms, creating a new visual language that empowers and redefines traditional depictions.

Museum of Art

Wednesday, Feb 21st

Destigmatizing & Decriminalizing Mental Health with Gina Crowder, Founder of Black Minds Matter Too

TBD

Explore the crucial intersection of mental health and social justice with Gina Crowder, the founder of Black Minds Matter Too. This event focuses on the urgent need to destigmatize and decriminalize mental health. Crowder's initiative, born out of a deep concern for individuals harmed or incarcerated during mental health crises, offers insights into creating more compassionate and equitable responses to mental health challenges.

Gina Crowder, the Director Of The National Alliance For Mental Illness California and founder of Black Minds Matter Too, is dedicated to transforming the narrative and approach to mental health in marginalized communities.

Center for Women & Gender Equity (CWGE), CARE, Campus Safety, PAW, and CAPS

Wednesday, Feb 21st

Tuesday, February 27

Indigenous Responses to Environmental Justice:

Land, Gender, and Biocultural Diversity in Venda, South Africa

Pushout:

Movie Screening & Community Discussion on Misogynoir in Schools

Lafayette Room, Soda Center

Virtual Event

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Join us for an inspiring evening with Dr. Kimberly Ross, an esteemed SMC alumna. Dive into the heart of South Africa as Dr. Ross unveils the dynamic interplay between land, gender, and biocultural diversity in Venda. Her unique perspective on environmental justice, rooted in Africana Studies, promises to enlighten and challenge your understanding of conservation and women's roles in social change.

Explore the critical issue of black girls' pushout from educational systems in the powerful film, "Pushout." This screening sheds light on how anti-blackness and adultification affect black youth, offering insights into promoting Black student success and joy. A must-attend for anyone committed to understanding and improving educational equity.

Dr. Kimberly Ross, SMC Alumna (Comm). Her expertise is in Africana Studies, with a particular focus on women's roles in conservation efforts in South Africa.

The event is facilitated by a collective of Graduate Students in the KSOE graduate Counseling Programs.

History and WaGS

BLC and KSOE Graduate Counseling Programs

Featured Student Led Submission

event series

Intercultural Center 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 Black Student Union

Week One: Soulful Social

📅 Date: Tue, February 13

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

📍 Location: Intercultural Center

🍲 Enjoy a delicious shared meal, fostering community and camaraderie.
🗨️ Participate in engaging and meaningful conversations, creating bonds and understanding.
🎉 Experience a warm and welcoming atmosphere, embodying the spirit of unity and togetherness.

Week Two: The Lounge

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 27th

⏰ Time: 7:30-9:30PM

📍 Location: Intercultural Center

🎙️ Featuring the talents and MCing of Napoleon Dargan, the founder of The Lounge at SMC.
📝 Open to all genres and forms of creative expression
🤝 This event is a open mic and community-based program, aimed at amplifying student voices and fostering community through the arts.

Week Three: Cartoons and Creation

📅 Date: Monday, February 26th

⏰ Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

📍 Location: Intercultural Center

✍️ Artistic guidance provided – all skill levels welcome!
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A perfect way to meet fellow students and make your mark at the IC.
🎨 Materials will be provided, just bring your creativity.

Week Four: Activism Workshop

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 5

⏰ Time: 6:00-7:00PM

📍 Location: Intercultural Center

📢 Interactive workshop on the fundamentals of activism.
🛠️ Practical tools and resources to support your advocacy journey.
💬. Discussions on current social justice movements and how to get involved.
📆 Date and time will be confirmed closer to the event. Keep an eye on for updates!

We’re Seeking Volunteers

Musicians | Artists

Speakers | Planners

Social Media Features

MARCH

campus events

Day

Sunday, March 10

Monday, March 11

Wednesday, March 13

Friday, March 22

Brief Exchanges

Film Screening & Curated Conversation with Filmmaker Ashley Versher

Frederick Douglass:

In His Own Words

with SMC Faculty Member Dr. Kathryn Koo

Do The Work:

on Anti-Racism & Intersectionality with

W. Kamau Bell & Kate Schatz

School Daze Take III:

with African American Scholars’ Project

Location

Gallieo 201

Lafayette Rm, Soda Center

Moraga Room, Soda Center

Saint Mary’s College of CA

Time

TBD

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

7:00 pm

TBD

Description

Award-winning and featured in multiple film festivals, this film by Ashley Versher offers a profound look into a Black woman's experience with microaggressions in NYC. The screening will be followed by an insightful Q&A, exploring the intersections of art, social justice, and the experiences of Black creatives in Hollywood. This event is a deep dive into the world of independent filmmaking and the power of storytelling in social change.

First published in 1845, Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave attempted to express what could never be fully captured in words: the terrible logic and brutal inhumanity of American slavery. Join us as we investigate Douglass’s early life in chains and the inner workings of the racial caste system that justified, maintained, and perpetuated the institution of slavery.

Overwhelmed by injustice? Outraged by the news? Asking yourself, “What can I do?” Join political comic W. Kamau Bell and co-author Kate Schatz , as they unpack the work of anti-racism through an intersectional lens. Drawing from their “entertaining and informative” workbook, Bell and Schatz offer tools for advancing your own equity practices – internally, on campus, with friends and family, and in the world.

In collaboration with African American Scholars’ Project, every year, we host West Contra Costa, San Ramon, and Oakland Unified School District Black high school students in an immersive day of college programming.

Featuring

Ashley Versher, a talented self-taught filmmaker and founder of Little Black Girl From The Bay Productions. Her work emphasizes storytelling that spotlights Black womanhood, social justice, and allyship.

Dr. Kathryn Koo brings her expertise in American literature and history, including her work on slavery and the Constitution, to enrich the discussion on Frederick Douglass's narrative.

W. Kamau Bell, a renowned political comic, and Kate Schatz, co-author and activist, both bringing their unique perspectives on social justice and activism (parallel seminar text: 'How to Be an Anti-racist' by Ibram X. Kendi)

The African American Scholars Project is designed to provide programming that addresses identity development, emotional wellness, and college preparedness to all its participants.

Sponsored By

BLC and KSOE Graduate Counseling Programs

Seminar Informal Curriculum

& English Department

Co-sponsored by CILSA, Collegiate Seminar, Roy E. and Patricia Disney Forum, CCIE, BLC, and the Center for Women & Gender Equity

BLC

Nurturing A Shared Vision

family

meeting

Saturday, March 30

TBD

Soda Center

more than a conversation; it's community!

Join us for a communal space to engage in meaningful dialogues about anti-racism, anti-blackness, and the Black experience on our campus. It’s an opportunity to collectively address and brainstorm solutions for the challenges we face as Black GAELS. We encourage open and constructive dialogues, aiming to foster a supportive and healing environment.

🎤 — Engaging panel discussions with thought leaders and community voices.

🍇 — Exclusive wine tasting with selections from Black-owned vineyards.

🍽️ — Culinary delights catered by Black-owned businesses.

We’re Encouraging The Campus Community To Participate in Off-Campus Events!

bayarea

events

Community Event Disclaimer: The events listed are independently organized by various community entities and are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or organized by SMC. Participation in these events is voluntary and at your own discretion. THE BLC is not responsible for the content, quality, or outcomes of these community-hosted events. No financial compensation has been received for the inclusion of these events on this poster.

7th Annual Oakland Black Joy Parade

presented by Black Infant Health

Come for the parade, performances, vendors, activations, and more!

The image is a vibrant collage for the "Black Joy Parade," featuring joyful Black individuals laughing and dancing, with the African continent silhouette and event title prominently displayed. It conveys a sense of celebration, unity, and positivity.

Sunday, February 25 · 12:30pm PST

Oakland, CA