A Message from WIU President Guiyou Huang: Black History Month Celebration

University News

A Message from WIU President Guiyou Huang: Black History Month Celebration

February 1, 2022

Dear WIU Community,

As Black History Month is celebrated across the nation this month, please join us at the many activities and events held this month at Western Illinois University to honor and recognize Black History Month.

To kick off this year's celebration, we are so excited to have C.T. Vivian Scholar Dr. Alfonzo Cooper, Jr., of the WIU School of Music, presenting, "I, Too Sing: Songs of the Darker Brothers," Art Song and Spiritual Arrangements by African-American Composer, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 in the COFAC Recital Hall. In addition, Western's Multicultural Center, the Black Student Association, the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and other University programs and departments have several programs scheduled throughout February, including a writing workshop led by Nora Brooks Blakely, Gwendolyn Brooks' daughter. Visit bit.ly/WIUBHM2022 for the complete calendar of events.

As I noted last year, the recognition and awareness should not, and will not, stop when February 28 rolls around. We will continue to raise awareness, educate, and promote Black history and culture, Black Lives Matter and other movements, and diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the year and beyond.

The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, the Black Student Association, the National Association of Colored Women's Club, the Black Male Achievement Network, Cultural Expressions, the WIU NAACP Chapter, and more within the WIU Multicultural Center provide numerous ways for Black students to come together at our University. These organizations provide exceptional educational opportunities for our University community, as well as area residents. Thank you for all that you do for Western Illinois University. Your activism and service are greatly appreciated and acknowledged.

Sincerely,

Guiyou Huang, Ph.D.
President
Western Illinois University