February is Black History Month. Our incredible Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Curry and her team have compiled an extensive list of engaging and informative programs that will be taking place this month. Please take a look at the list of the many options on our WPS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Website. These programs are presented by a variety of sources, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, among others for parents/guardians and children.
A program that is occurring tonight is …
Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Office of DEI&B : ‘Reading, Writing and Racism’
Tuesday, Feb. 2; 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET
Renowned scholars Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, and Keisha N. Blain, author of Set the World on Fire have assembled 90 extraordinary writers to document the 400 hundred-year journey of African Americans from 1619 to the present in their newly released book Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619–2019. Each contributor writes about a five-year period of 400 years of African American history using essays, short stories, personal vignettes and fiery polemics. The authors approach history from various perspectives: through the eyes of towering historical icons, the untold stories of ordinary people, as well as landmarks, laws and artifacts. In a discussion moderated by museum curator Mary Elliott, featured editors Kendi and Blain will focus on historic eras such as slavery, reconstruction and segregation and their sustained impact on the United States. Several contributors to the book will join Kendi and Blain in a discussion about the impact of the African American community on social justice trajectory of American History. Admission is free; however, registration is required.