Black Excellence Ball, Cultural Expressions part of Black history celebrations at Lawrence

The final two weeks of February and the first week of March at Lawrence University will feature multiple events celebrating Black history.

Black Student Union (BSU), a student organization, will once again present the Black Excellence Ball and Cultural Expressions, two of the signature events each year on the Lawrence calendar.

Lawrence also is again celebrating Black Feminist Fortnight. Each year there are celebrations of Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. Black Feminist Fortnight connects the two to celebrate the achievements of Black women. 

Events on the calendar include:

Feb. 17: Black Excellence Ball is set for 8 p.m. in Warch Campus Center. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of Black and Brown people on campus and throughout history.

Feb. 22: At 4:30 p.m., the Wriston Art Center will screen Where is Black Art? and the theater performance Menstrual Rosary as part of Black Feminist Fortnight.

Feb. 24: BSU hosts Cultural Expressions at 7 p.m. in Warch Campus Center. It is a Lawrence tradition as students of color express themselves on stage through music, poetry, and more.

Feb. 26: A panel discussion on the importance of Black history in the United States is set for 5 p.m. in the Wriston Auditorium. The discussion will be moderated by Anna Ponder, vice president for University Advancement. The panel will include three Lawrence faculty members: Carla Daughtry, associate professor of anthropology; Betsy Schlabach, associate professor of history; and Jerald Podiar, professor of history emeritus. It is free and open to the public.

March 4: To wrap up Black History Month celebrations and Black Feminist Fortnight, Wisconsin poet laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton will present a poetry reading in the Wriston Art Center at 4:30 p.m.