Linfield University will host a series of events in celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 8-25. All events are organized by the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The activities will culminate in the BSU’s first-ever Black Wall Street, a festival for Black-owned clothing designers, artists, craftspeople and restaurateurs to promote and sell their goods on Linfield’s McMinnville campus. Black Wall Street is slated for 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25. A concert featuring Portland-based rappers Donte Thomas and Bocha will cap the event.
“The events we have scheduled for Black History Month are part of reaffirming the presence of the Black Student Union (BSU) at Linfield,” said Ray-Ray Crain, president of the Wildcat BSU. “By shining a spotlight on Black brilliance and Black excellence, we draw attention to its importance in the community as a whole.”
Crain and Abby Thomas, Linfield’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, are highlighting Linfield’s own Black leaders and inviting other visionary Black entrepreneurs to join the conversation in-person and virtually.
Here is the line-up of other Black History Month events this month:
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 4 p.m., Fred Meyer Lounge and Zoom: “Building Community: Experiences and insights from Black professionals in the Pacific Northwest.” An in-person panel discussion with Dr. Jennifer Madden, Kahlil Pedizisai and Jerry Ball, director of the documentary film “Red White & Black: The Oregon Wine Story.”
Friday, Feb. 11, noon, Zoom: “Paths to Success: The story behind the scenes of Black excellence.” A virtual WildX talk with special guests Marcus Johnson, an American jazz musician, producer, and entrepreneur; Rayshad Kizer, head coach of the Massachusetts Pirates indoor football team; and Jonathan Charles, director of football operations for the Massachusetts Pirates.
Friday, Feb. 18, TBD, Fred Meyer Lounge: Paint & Sip. An interactive painting lesson.
Face masks are required inside all Linfield University buildings. More information about Linfield’s COVID-19 response is at linfield.edu/covid.
The Black History Month line-up is only part of Crain’s plans for the BSU at Linfield. “The BSU is growing and committed to being a visible part of the Linfield community. This is just the start of that process with more to come,” he said.