African American/black history month
African American/Black History Month is an annual celebration taking place each February to celebrate the achievements of African Americans throughout history in the fields of science, art, politics, education, health, and more. It is also a time to pay tribute to the many generations of African Americans – past and present – who have and continue to struggle with adversity.
NEOMED is proud to continue its annual observation of African American History Month with the following campus-wide events.
Black History Month Events
February 2024
The Student National Medical Association has several activities planned to celebrate Black History Month.
Kamilah Dixon, M.D., The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, will deliver a talk about what it means to be an anti-racist OB/GYN. Thursday, Feb. 1, 12- 1 p.m., Watanakunakorn Auditorium. Lunch provided to students who RSVP.
White Coat Cleaning Fundraiser. Is your white coat looking a little dingy from this past semester? If so, SNMA has got your back. They will be holding a dry-cleaning fundraiser to support the NEOMED Community! Drop off is Feb. 14 and pick up Feb. 28. More information.
Black History Jeopardy. Come and join the SNMA as we host our own version of Jeopardy! Questions will, of course, be related to Black history. There will be prizes for the winning team! Monday, Feb. 19, 1-2:30 p.m., E-10 Liebelt. More information.
Angela Dawson, M.S., executive director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health, will speak. Friday, Feb. 23, 12-1 p.m., Watanakunakorn Auditorium. Lunch provided to students who RSVP.
Paint and Sip. Round out Black History Month with SNMA as they host a relaxing paint and sip night. Canvases, paint and food will be provided. Monday, Feb. 26, 6:30-8 p.m., Meshel Auditorium. Save your spot.
Archive
2022 events included:
Support the SNMA Fundraiser
Rock your values with these pins! Proceeds will go toward future SNMA programming and more monthly initiatives that support the SNMA mission.
Make Space, Take Space Mural
Find our BHM mural representing the diversity WITHIN the Black community at NEOMED.
Wear Red, Black and Green Apparel Day!
We invite students, staff, and faculty to recognize the start of Black History Month by wearing red, black, and/or green. These colors represent the Pan-African flag, a flag adopted to symbolically unite individuals of the Black diaspora. In fact, it has been suggested that the Pan-African flag has been used as a template for African countries as they gained independence e.g. Ghana, Libya, Malawi, and more. As quoted by the UNIA, “Red is the color of the blood which men must shed for their redemption and liberty; black is the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong; green is the color of the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland.”
Black History Month Speaker: Avery Ware
Avery (He/They) is a writer and educator from Lorain, Ohio. He is an adjunct professor of American History. Avery’s research, writing, and teaching interests include a Black-queering of history by interrogating social inequalities and systemic injustices throughout U.S. history, Black queer feminism, the socio-political foundations and application of the politics of desire, and popular & visual culture.
Avery is also the cohost of the podcast Drag From The Left.
Through his teaching, writing, and podcasting, Avery is dedicated to a liberatory pedagogy that centers on the voices and experiences of marginalized groups that have historically been silenced.
He holds a M.A. in American Studies from Youngstown State University and a BA in Sociology from the University of Akron.
Navigating Racial Bias in Medicine
Our very own NEOMED physicians Dr. Sonja Harris-Haywood (University Hospitals) and Dr. Yoleetah Ilodi (Summa Health System, Akron) will lead a crucial conversation about racial bias in medicine. They will provide steps that students can take to become clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious medical providers. This format will seek to highlight common racial biases in medicine, personal experiences, and the responsibilities that current students have as future providers.
Black History Jeopardy
You will not want to miss this lunch hour of food, fun, and learning. Contestants will go head-to-head in Black history themed categories for their chance to win the grand prize! Whether a contestant or audience member, you will leave more knowledgeable than you came in!
Black History Paint Night
Take a night off from studying and join your colleagues in a journey into Black art history. Participants will receive a canvas with paints, food, and instruction. Whether you are a budding Jean-Michel Basquiat or a finger-painter, this will be a wonderful cultural experience.
Drumming and Line Dance Pop-up
Follow the sound of the drums to watch a performance of African drumming. You will be able to grab a drum and join right in with our guest instructor! If you’re still feeling the beat, fall in line as we learn the Cleveland Shuffle with the SNMA board!
