Scranton Honors Black History Month
This February, several events are scheduled to honor Black History Month with offerings that provide opportunities for celebration and learning for both the greater Scranton and University of Scranton communities.
The University is hosting a special diversity and inclusion event “Jesuits & Slavery: A History in Search of Understanding” featuring Rev. David Collins, S.J., Haub Director of Catholic Studies and Associate Professor of History at Georgetown University on Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fr. Collins is an internationally recognized expert in processes of historical truth and reconciliation and led Georgetown University’s Working Group on Slavery, Memory and Reconciliation, which has garnered national attention since 2015. This event will provide an overview of the participation by the Society of Jesus in slaveholding from the 16th to the 19th centuries and will explore what this legacy of racial injustice and anti-Black racism means for all U.S. Jesuit institutions, including The University of Scranton, today.
This presentation with Q&A and discussion will take place via Zoom and University of Scranton community members can join an in-person watch party. Registration is required here. This event is co-sponsored by the University’s Jesuit Center, Office of Equity and Diversity, Council on Diversity and Inclusion’s Institutional Black History subcommittee, Multicultural Center, and Office of Community Relations.
On Saturday, Feb. 5 the Black Scranton Project honors the start of Black History Month with the third annual Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall at 12:00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to meet at the steps of City Hall to reflect, honor, and celebrate the pivotal role Black Americans have played in shaping national identity and culture. For more information on the Black Scranton Project and other upcoming events, please visit this link.
Also downtown, the Ritz Theatre is offering Black History month events, including a performance by Rebel Stages on Sat, Feb. 12 of the musical AIN'T MISBEHAVIN! Tickets are available here. On Sat, Feb 26, the Ritz is hosting "INCLUDED - A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY: A Night of Gospel Music.” This is a free event with donations benefiting their Scholarship Fund. For more information, including if you are interested in performing, contact Carole Mason at carole_mason217@yahoo.com.
The University of Scranton Multicultural Center is hosting several programs for university students during February. Events include a Dialogue on Race, Racism, and Identity: Gerrymandering & Voting Rights on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. and a film screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble followed by a discussion will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium in the Loyola Science Center. Additional events include awareness table sits, a trivia night and presentation on systemic racism and its effects. University students can visit the Multicultural Center’s website to view the complete list.
Additional events may be added as the month continues. Check back here or on Facebook.
