Since 1976, every President has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a theme. The theme for 2024 is African Americans and the Arts. Black history, Black lives, accomplishments, and needs matter in February and every month of the year. Black history is a critical part of US and international history. We must work continuously on further recognizing and respecting the amazing impact of our Black community in our reality. This year’s theme explores African Americans’ influence on various forms of cultural expression (source: History.com).

Excelsior’s Center for Social Justice and the Race and Ethnicity Rope team are hosting a virtual dialogue at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart from the Underground Railroad Education Center to commemorate the special month. Paul and Mary Liz are independent researchers and co-founders of the Underground Railroad Education Center, a public history organization that highlights the voices of Black abolitionists and freedom seekers and which is dedicated to researching, celebrating, and preserving the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy to today’s social justice issues, thereby empowering people of all ages to be agents of change toward an equitable and just society.

Please join the Excelsior community and register: https://excelsior.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HbdfW9BAT5-XxTLripYS_A 

Visit the Communities page for more information: https://communities.excelsior.edu/events/2024/02/08/agents-of-change-voices-of-freedom/

Visit Center for Social Justice – Excelsior University