FEBRUARY 2023
Email the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for more information: diversity@ua.edu.
Multi-Cultural Coffee Hour
Friday, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center will host weekly coffee hours for students, faculty and staff to enjoy free coffee, tea, snacks and conversation with others from around the world. For more information, contact International Student and Scholar Services’ Sonya Harwood-Johnson at sonya.harwood@ua.edu.
Rainbow Connection
Thursday, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 | 3:50-4:50 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge, 2418 Student Center
Friday, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 | 2 p.m.-3 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge, 2418 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students
The Safe Zone Resource Center hosts Rainbow Connection, a weekly support and dialogue group for LGBTQIA+ identified students and their allies. This group provides an opportunity to form supportive friendships with other group members, learn resilience skills and strategies for self-care, and set personal goals. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
Diversity, Coffee and Conversations
Tuesday, Feb. 7 │ 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to faculty, staff and students
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s monthly program highlights upcoming cultural holidays. Participants will learn about different cultures, traditions and customs through insight and knowledge from different representatives. Dr. Tyshawn Gardner, associate professor and director of the Preministerial Scholars Program at Samford University, will be the speaker for February. He will discuss understanding the historical origin of Black History Month; detail the cultural importance of civil rights in relation to the month; share ways in which his work contributes to the advancement of the month and this year’s theme (Black Resistance); and identify ways to exhibit allyship with the Black community.
Dr. Gardner has deep ties to Tuscaloosa. He previously served as vice president for Student Affairs at Stillman College, senior pastor at Plum Grove Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, and adjunct faculty member at The University of Alabama and Beeson Divinity School. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In addition, Dr. Gardner previously served as president of the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, founder/CEO of Citizens Impacting Community Association, Inc., disaster relief coordinator for the Alabama Missionary Baptist State Convention, and as an advisory board member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Realizing the Dream Committee and of Elevate Tuscaloosa Cultural Arts and Tourism. For more information, contact the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversity@ua.edu.
Cinnamon Rolls Not Gender Roles
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 1 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge, 2418 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students
Safe Zone Resource Center host Cinnamon Rolls, Not Gender Roles, a weekly program for individuals of all identities to come together, eat pastries, and discuss topics concerning gender identity and performance in the current culture and climate. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
Study Abroad Pop-Up Advising
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA students
The Capstone International Center hosts weekly information sessions on studying abroad. These sessions provide advising about the overall process and timeline for studying abroad, work to dispel myths about Education Abroad, and assist with program searching. For more information, contact the Study Abroad office at studyabroad@ua.edu.
AAPI Launch Celebration
Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (Dinner served at 5:30 p.m.) | Student Center Ballroom
The University of Alabama Asian American Pacific Islander Association will hold a celebration as it launches as the newest employee resource group on campus. Everyone is invited to attend. RSVP is required.
The UA Association is an umbrella employee resource group for faculty and staff members of UA’s various organizations which function under the auspices of the UA Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The UA Association offers educational opportunities around culture, history, heritage, and diversity within the community, and contributes to the intellectual and social learning environment of the campus.
For more information, contact the AAPI Association at aapi@ua.edu, or visit the organization’s website at aapi.ua.edu.
Ally Training Program
Thursday, Feb. 9 | 9 a.m.-11 a.m. | Zoom
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System
The UA Safe Zone Ally Training Program provides a visible network of allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Safe Zone Allies distribute information regarding sexuality, gender identity, campus and community resources, and methods for reporting harassment and/or discrimination. The Safe Zone Ally Training Program is a two-hour session that allows participants to: develop a working knowledge of appropriate and respectful LGBTQIA+ terminology; recognize the impact that campus climate has on individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+; and identify areas of personal growth as a member of the UA community. Following the training program, participants are invited to sign up to serve as UA Safe Zone Allies. Registration is required. Participants can register at: https://tinyurl.com/SZAlly2023. For more information, please contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
TEDTalk Tuesday: “The Fight for Civil Rights and Freedom”
Tuesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA students, faculty, staff and UA System
This TEDTalk Tuesday segment features the late civil rights leader and longtime U.S. Congressman John Lewis in conversation with lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson. Lewis talks about the essential importance of voting, give words of wisdom for the generation of young people currently organizing in the struggle for racial justice, and shares stories of his journey. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Sex Ed Bingo: Palentine’s Day
Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m.-8 p.m. | 3115 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA Students
This program is part of a multi-part sex education series. In this session, which is part of a multi-part sex education series, Safe Zone will host a Palentine’s Day workshop highlighting the traits of healthy romantic and platonic relationships. Participants will have the opportunity to play Bingo for prizes, and pizza and drinks will be provided. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
Coffee & Mental Health
Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System
The Intercultural Diversity Center and the UA Counseling Center host monthly Coffee and Mental Health, where participants have an opportunity to speak with therapists in a one-on-one setting. The program provides an environment for participants to ask questions, get to know UA therapists and learn about counseling as a student resource. In addition, the program offers a space for guests to learn about the many wellbeing resources the counseling center has and ways they can connect with the counseling center. Coffee and Mental Health occurs every third Wednesday. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Dr. Ethel H. Hall African American Heritage Month Celebration
Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Bryant Conference Center
The School of Social Work hosts this event. This year’s theme is “Promoting Maternal Health: Understanding and Addressing Racial Disparities in Alabama.” Registration is required.
Memory, History and Catastrophe
The Legacy of Lynching: The Memorial for Peace and Justice
Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Camellia Room, Gorgas Library
Those who study mass violence and war know about perpetrators and victims; but what about those who are more ambiguously implicated? How are we to discuss, understand, remember, and account for their actions? How do societies and individuals “come back” from or own such ambiguous implications? Three interlocking discussions, centered on short documentaries, are planned for the theme “Memory, History and Catastrophe.”
The Feb. 15 event is an account of the creation of the Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, undertaken by the Equal Justice Initiative, centered around an interview with Bryan Stevenson. Refreshments will be provided. The event is sponsored by the UA Department of Political Sciences with thanks to the Aronov Chair in Judaic Studies, the Chambers Chair in Middle Eastern Studies, UA Department of Theater and Dance and UA Libraries.
The first discussion was held Jan. 31. The next discussion on this topic will be March 8.
The Turkey-Syria Earthquake and its Humanitarian Impacts
Thursday, Feb. 16 | 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Yellowhammer Room, Gorgas Library
This event is an opportunity for the UA community to learn about the Turkey-Syria earthquake, its humanitarian impacts, including on lives of UA community members and their families, and about organizations to support involved relief efforts. Invited speakers include Dr. Ibrahim Cemen, professor of geology; M. Zeki Gungordu, Turkish language trainer, Critical Languages Center; Dr. Noor Ghazal Aswad, assistant professor, department of communication studies; Turkish Student Association representatives; moderators: Dr. Waleed Hazbun, political sciences, and Dr. Cheryl Toman, modern languages and classics.
The event is organized by The Chambers Professorship in Middle Eastern Studies, the UA Department of Modern Languages and Classics, the office of Global and Community Engagement, the UA Department of Communication Studies, the Turkish Student Association, Capstone International Center, The Aronov Chair for Judaic Studies, and the UA Department of Political Science.
Identity Matters
Monday, Feb. 20 | 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. | 3104 Student Center
The UA Career Center will kick off its Identity Matters series with an LGBTQIA+ career panel and networking mixer. The panel of employers who identify as or support the LGBTQIA+ community will discuss navigating identities and the job search. Networking will follow the discussion. Panelists from Belk, Lockheed Martin, Protective Life, and Shipt will share their experiences to provide guidance, the importance of finding a company that values one’s identity and answer questions. The event is open to all students. Registration is required. Dress code is business casual.
Black Graduate Student Experience Panel
Monday, Feb. 20 | 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Yellow Hammer Room, Gorgas Library
This professional panel will highlight the experience of Black scholars in academia. It is an opportunity to network and fellowship. Refreshments will be provided. The event is hosted by the UA Graduate Student Association and the UA African American Graduate Student Association.
Black Student Union Week
Feb. 20-26
The Black Student Union is hosting its BSU Week Feb. 20-26 at various locations on campus and in the Tuscaloosa community. For 55 years the Black Student Union, formerly known as the Afro-American Association, has continued to honor its founding principles of filling the academic, social and community outreach needs of Black students at UA with BSU Week. All events for the week are free and open to all. For more information, contact the BSU at theblackstudentunionua@gmail.com or @BSU_UA on Instagram for updates.
Breakfast with BSU — Monday, Feb. 20, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., BSU Office, 1805 Student Center. BSU will provide food from Panera Bread Co. to kick off BSU Week.
A Night in Church — Monday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., North Lawn Hall.
BSU Volunteers: West Alabama Clean-up — Tuesday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m., Benjamin Barnes YMCA. Join BSU in collaboration with Mind Changers in doing a community clean-up. Volunteers will meet at the Barnes Branch YMCA and clean up around West Tuscaloosa, specifically the common areas around Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Stillman Boulevard.
Fashion Show — Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Student Center Theater. BSU presents “Lift Every Voice and Strut, a fashion show dedicated to highlighting Black couture and excellence. The event features DJ J. Dolla
State of the Black Union — Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., Bryant Conference Center, Birmingham Room. The State of the Black Union serves to educate participants on the meaning behind the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as presented by renowed scholar and lecturer Dr. Timothy Askew, professor of English and Humanities at Clark Atlanta University. The event also will feature hip-hop violinist Derryck “DSharp” Gleaton, and a call to action by spoken-word poet Imani “J-Lyte” Williams. The event is co-sponsored by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
DSharp is no stranger to UA. In 2009, DSharp was commissioned by UA to write a piece for the unveiling of an African American art collection donated to the university by Paul R. Jones. He will close out The State of the Black Union with a performance of hip-hop and electronic dance music.
UA alum and poet J-Lyte will serve as the call-to-action speaker. J-Lyte began writing poetry after her mother had her memorize and perform a poem for her kindergarten show-and-tell. Her charismatic nature and commanding presence are sure to inspire participants as she challenges them to act on what they learned at the event.
Hoops for Heart — Friday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Student Rec Center. BSU will host a Hoops for Heart basketball tournament to support the American Heart Association. Teams and volunteers can sign up for the men’s 3-on-3 event until Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.
“Permissions Vol. 1” — Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m. Student Center Theater. UA BSU hosts the American debut of Xavia Jackson’s “Permissions Vol. 1,” which originally debuted in London, England. “Permissions Vol. 1” is an experience that explores layers of afro-futurism, surrealism, and expressionism with Black American performance culture of stepping, spoken word, historically Black colleges and universities majorette, and world-renowned violinist DSharp. The performance delves into the expressions of hope in Black culture while addressing the visibility of blackness in Black American communities and against Black men. Performed by an all-Black cast, “Permissions Vol. 1” was created, produced and choreographed by UA alumna, master choreographer and movement artist Xavia Jackson. Jackson created “Permissions” while at the University of Roehampton in London. He sought to answer the question “What happens when a Black man gives himself permission to dream?” The event is co-sponsored by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
TEDTalk Tuesday: “The Real Story of Rosa Parks”
Tuesday, Feb. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA students, faculty, staff, and UA System
This TEDTalk Tuesday program features David Ikard. He talks about the story of Rosa Parks and highlights how making the realities of race more benign and digestible harms us all and emphasizes the power and importance of historical accuracy. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
On the Intersection of Music, Race and Family
Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 4 p.m. | 38 Lloyd Hall (enter at side of Lloyd Hall)
Nabil Ayers, the New York City-based U.S. president of major international indie music lable consortium Beggars Group, discusses a life in music, complex memoir of his family history and his famous father, Black jazz legend Roy Ayers. Nabile Ayers’ book is titled “My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for my Father and Discovering my Family.” The event is sponsored by New College, Levitetz Leadership Program, School of Music, Blount Scholars, American Studies, and Gender and Race Studies.
Lunch and Learn: Black Resistance from the Lens of the LGBTQIA+ Community
Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Noon-1 p.m. | 2408 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to faculty, staff and sudents
In support of Black History Month, Safe Zone Resource Center will host a panel discussion featuring the experiences of African American LGBTQIA+ individuals at UA. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about the lived experiences of the panelists as they discuss their experiences with black resistance through the lens of the LGBTQIA+ community. A catered lunch will be provided to participants while supplies last. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
Pop-Up Shop: Black History Month
Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m.-2 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System
The Intercultural Diversity Center kicks off its Pop-Up Shop Series for the Spring 2023 semester with a focus on Black History Month and its theme of Black Resistance. Black History Month honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about key and prominent civil rights figures through visual presentations, view the exhibition and receive educational materials. Lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Nathan Childers MA Thesis Exhibition
Feb. 23-March 3 | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-noon | Sella-Granata Gallery, Woods Hall
The UA Department of Art and Art History presents the master of arts thesis exhibition, Nathan Childers: Knowing Your Place. A reception will be held Thursday, March 2, from 4 p.m. to 6 pm. Painting graduate student Nathan Childers writes in his artist statement: “Queerness has often occupied the threshold between presence and erasure. The issue of visibility has been important to queer people historically and continues to play a crucial role in queer self-definition. Through painting, I investigate the impact of location on queer culture and queer identity. My body of work engages with visual traditions within queer culture through figurative painting and an examination of queer existence. This exploration is my way of awakening viewers to scenes of underrepresented people, the persistence of outdated gender roles, and the means through which LGBTQIA+ individuals identify as whole persons through and beyond the spheres of gender and sexuality.” Nathan Childers’ paintings have been included in numerous exhibitions around the country. He won Best in Show award in the exhibition Queer Aesthetics held at Mississippi University for Women Galleries, and received an Honorable Mention at the Georgia Watercolor Society 42nd National Exhibition in Carrollton, Georgia.
EveryWoman Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 23 | Noon-1 p.m. | Legends Bistro, Hotel Capstone
This month’s featured book is “Nightcrawling” by Leila Mottley. The book was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and is described as a novel about “a young Black woman who walks the streets of Oakland and stumbles headlong into the failure of its justice system.”
The book club is open to faculty, staff, community members and graduate students. More information: email elester1@ua.edu.
Artist Lecture: Krista Clark
Thursday, Feb. 23 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | 203 Garland Hall
Artist Krista Clark will present a public lecture on her art. Clark writes that her works “are inquiries into the commodification of space and the standardization of building aesthetics.” She incorporates new and repurposed materials to construct familiar forms in new spatial arrangements and exposes what she describes as formal gestures we use that reflect the complicated and often compromised relationship we have with our built environment. Vermont native Clark lives and works in Atlanta. She holds a BFA from Atlanta College of Art, an MA from New York University and an MFA from Georgia State University. Clark’s work is in the permanent collections of the High Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA). Her work has been featured at the Studio Museum in Harlem; RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Denver; the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia; Atlanta Contemporary; High Museum of Art, and many others. She is an assistant professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Clark’s lecture is part of the Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series, sponsored by the UA Department of Art and Art History and the College of Arts & Sciences Diversity Committee.
SKY Happiness Retreat
Feb. 24-26 | Student Recreation Center
SKY Happiness Retreat is a 12-hour total well-being training offered to university students, faculty and staff across the country. The retreat introduces SKY Meditation, an evidence-based meditation practice integrated with breath work that can significantly increase one’s well-being and calmness and reduces anxiety and stress markers. The course features interactive group processes, experiential learning, emotional intelligence training, breath work, yoga and evidence-based meditation. The retreat is funded for University of Alabama students, faculty and staff. Availability is on a first-come, first-served, by registration only and requires attendance at all sessions. Limited spots are available. Registration required. The event is hosted by SKY Campus Happiness at UA. For more information, contact the organization at skycampusatua@gmail.com.
Culverhouse African American Alumni Network Conference
Friday, Feb. 24 | Hewson Hall
This inaugural event is designed to provide a platform for engagement and connection between African American Culverhouse alumni and current Culverhouse students and to recognize early Culverhouse graduates and outstanding achievements among African American alumni. In addition to networking and an organization fair, sessions include What Would I Tell my College Self, Getting the Most Out of Internships and Your First Months on the Job, and Entrepreneurship as a First, Second or Side Career.
The conference is open, and sessions can apply to any student.
Equal Justice Initiative Excursion
Saturday, Feb. 25 | 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Montgomery, Alabama
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will provide transportation and free tickets for UA students to visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s facilities in Montgomery, Alabama. The trip will feature self-guided tours of the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Please note: check-in will be at 7:30 a.m. by the flagpole at the Student Center.
This free program is only for UA Students. Spaces are limited. Registration is required.
This event also will feature a pre- and post-discussion to review the topics exhibited in the museum and memorial. The interactive discussions will be led by Dr. John Giggie, award-winning researcher and associate professor in the UA Department of History and director of the Summersell Center for the Study of the South.
The pre-event discussion will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Intercultural Diversity Center from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Register for the pre-event discussion.
The post-event discussion will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Intercultural Diversity Center from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Register for the post-event discussion.
For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
‘Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story’
Monday, Feb. 27 | 5 p.m. | 1008 Nursing Building
The Capstone College of Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee presents movie night with a showing of “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.” Free pizza and popcorn will be provided.
Sex Ed Bingo: Language Matters, How We Talk about Bodies
Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6 p.m.-8 p.m. | 3115 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students
In this session of the multipart series Sex Ed Bingo, Safe Zone will host a lecture and discussion on LGBTQIA+ inclusive language pertaining to body parts and strategies for having healthy discussions about bodies with partners. Participants will have the opportunity to play Bingo for prizes, and pizza and drinks will be provided.