Each year at this time, University of Detroit Mercy celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month.
Throughout the month of February, UDM celebrates Black History Month with four full weeks of events and activities that honor African American history and achievements.
All events below are open to the public. UDM invites everyone to participate and share in celebrating MLK’s movement and Black History Month.
Feb. 3: Men’s basketball black history game
1 p.m. at Calihan Hall
The Black History Game – when the men’s team takes on Robert Morris – will feature Titan trivia that highlights Black history and the Civil Rights Movement, music by Black and Detroit artists, and a pre-game performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Purchase tickets online or at the Calihan ticket office.
Feb. 5: Virtual book talk: “By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners”
7 p.m.
The author of “By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners,” Margaret Burnham, dives into the details of her book. It explores a series of legal cases involving African Americans from 1920-1960 and shows the connections between the laws of slavery and the legal system under Jim Crow in the late 19th and 20th century south. As Burnham explains, many of the cases involved rendition, the legal process by which Southern states sought to return accused African Americans to Southern “justice.” This prompted battles over questions of jurisdiction, many in Detroit.
Burnham is also a founding director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project at Northeastern University.
Feb. 7: Interfaith dinner
5-7:30 p.m. at Student Union Ballroom
As the World Interfaith Harmony Week falls in early February, this event is an opportunity to gather to celebrate diversity of cultural and religious traditions over a meal. This week aims to promote harmony between all people, regardless of their faith.
Feb. 8: Women’s basketball Black History Game
7 p.m. at Calihan Hall
The Black History Game – when the women’s team takes on Robert Morris – will feature Titan trivia that highlights Black history and the Civil Rights Movement, music by Black and Detroit artists, and a pre-game performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
You can purchase tickets online or at the Calihan Hall ticket office.
Feb. 10: Motown Museum tour
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guests will get a private tour of Detroit’s Motown Museum.
Tickets, which can be purchased from the McNichols campus’ student life office for $10, include admission to the museum and tour.
A limited number of tickets are available. Call 313-993-1154 with any questions.
Feb. 14: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad
7 p.m. at the Student Union Ballroom
“Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom” recounts the story of William and Ellen Craft, the most famous couple to flee enslavement in the south.
As author Ilyon Woo explains in her book, the couple did so by hiding in plain sight.
Ellen, who was light skinned, posed as a slave owner traveling northward with her personal servant, William. By boat and railroad car, they made it to freedom. When they attempted to legalize their marriage and raise a family in freedom, they were denied.
Spend this Valentine’s Day being inspired by this couple’s quest for love and freedom.
An alumni reception will precede the event in the Student Union Ballroom lobby at 5:30 p.m., and a book signing will follow Woo’s talk.
Register in advance here for the reception.
Feb. 14: Black History Month Jeopardy
5:30-6:30 p.m. in room 1430, School of Dentistry
At this event, you can test your knowledge and learn about African American people, events and terms. The goal is to deepen your appreciation for African Americans’ contributions in math, science, government, the arts and various other areas that have shaped our nation’s history.
Feb. 15: Past, Present and Future panel discussion and mixer
5-9 p.m. at the Atrium (mixer) and room 342 (panel discussion), School of Law
During this discussion, participants will discuss several topics with alumni, students and young attorneys, including surviving in the legal world, the dismantlement of affirmative action and how community engagement can be strengthened.
A networking mixer will kick off the event at 5 p.m. in the atrium of Detroit Mercy School of law, followed by the panel discussion at 6:15 p.m. in room 347.
Feb. 20: AI and Race
12:45-2 p.m. in the Bargman Room, McNichols Campus Library (second floor)
Where does artificial intelligence fit into the picture? This event explores how AI implements individual and social identities, how and when it becomes racialized, how race and AI create and recreate each other, and the possible social consequences of a racially marked AI-driven future.
Feb. 20: Black History Month Poetry Slam
6-8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom
This poetry slam honors Black History Month. It is a competitive event where poets will perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges.
Feb. 21: Self-care workshop
6:30 p.m. in the Special Functions Room, School of Dentistry
We often hear words like self-care and self-compassion, but what do they really mean? It can be too easy to focus energy on taking care of the needs of others while forgetting our own needs. At this event, guests will explore self-love and self-compassion to increase awareness around their own personal tools of self-care.
Click or tap here to learn more about these events.