Cleveland Reporter

February is Black History Month and CSU has a slate of special programming for the community lined up in the coming weeks. This list will be updated with new events and information throughout the month:

Black History Treasure Trail, Wednesday 2/1/23: This trail will have posters about Black history at various campus locations. Students will have the ability to collect information from the posters throughout the day. Students can then enter a raffle, and those with the most information collected will be entered to win a $25 gift card. The submission deadline is at 5 p.m. CSU Main Campus.

Black Women’s Support and Discussion Hour, Thursday 2/9/23: In partnership with the Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center, this discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Paula Mickens-English from 12:30 – 2p.m. CSU Main Campus, Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, Berkman Hall 137.

Love & Unity, Tuesday 2/14/23: In partnership with the Office of Multicultural Engagement, this social even features a DJ, Diaspora Cuisine, Panel Discussions on Black Love and the relationship between American and International Hip-Hop. Runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call 216-687-9394 for details. Free. CSU Student Center Atrium.

The Social Mixer @ The Diamond Room, The City Club, Tuesday 2/14/23: In partnership with the Office of Multicultural Engagement, this social event features refreshments, hors d'oeuvres. Free. 850 Euclid Ave., #110. Runs from 4 - 6 p.m. Call 216-687-9394 for details/reservations. Free. Please note: an RSVP is required.

Black History Trivia and Board Games, Thursday 2/16/23: In partnership with the Office of Multicultural Engagement, this social event begins at 11 a.m. CSU Main Campus, Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, Berkman Hall 137.

Duty of Defiance—Movement Lawyering in the Era of Dobbs, Thursday 2/16/23: How can movement lawyers represent clients who we know, as political actors, may/may not intentionally break the law, not as criminals but as what they see as their moral obligation? Historically there are many examples (i.e. MLK, Jr., “draft dodgers,” civil disobedience, civil rights movement, Jane Collective, etc.), and plan to contextualize the legal issue using the recent Dobbs decision and the crisis surrounding abortion access. While the main thrust of this event is movement lawyering, the abortion crisis highlights a message that is almost always buried: this crisis will far disproportionately affect women of color. In addition to the moral obligation, there is the issue of professional ethics to protect individual interests, as well as remain useful tools for social movements. The Student Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild hosts the program in the CSU College of Law’s Moot Court Room, 1801 Euclid Ave. Begins at 5 p.m.

Courageous Conversations—Building Bridges with Black Culture, Wednesday 2/22 at noon: Cleveland State University is proud to host “Courageous Conversations,” a virtual series designed to tackle topics on inclusiveness and diversity through honest discussions in a safe space. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to join. This conversation will highlight the impact cultural programming, visual and performing arts has in recruiting, retaining and uniting CSU students from all cultural backgrounds. Registration Zoom links will be provided here soon, so watch this space! 

Project 400 Conference: Our Bodies, Our Minds, Our Communities—Physical, Emotional, and Environmental Impacts of Racism, Friday & Saturday 2/24-25/23. Roberta Steinbacher Atrium of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education and via Zoom (hybrid). This is the fourth annual Project 400 Conference, which began in 2019 as a year-long observation of when the first Africans were brought to the British Colonies in North America in 1619. The two-day conference will further examine contemporary challenges African Americans face, highlighting the obstacles that have been overcome while identifying those that remain. Friday’s sessions will focus on the physical and mental effects of racism; Saturday’s sessions will focus on the impacts of environmental racism on health. Please note: a paid registration is required. Visit https://levin.csuohio.edu/di/fourth-annual-project-400-conference-2023 regarding required paid registration.

Viking Food Co.'s Viking Marketplace, All Month Long: Cleveland State University's Viking Food Co. will be highlighting Black Culinary Excellence featuring their African American culinary experts all month long. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to join.

Original source can be found here.