FEBRUARY 2024
Featured Event
Diversity, Coffee and Conversations
Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA students, faculty, staff and UA System employees
This month’s Diversity, Coffee and Conversations will focus on Black History Month and the month’s national theme “African Americans and the Arts.” Guest speaker will be Dr. Alexis Davis-Hazell, assistant director of undergraduate studies and assistant professor of voice and lyric diction in the UA School of Music. A mezzo-soprano, Dr. Davis-Hazell is the current president-elect of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Multicultural Coffee Hour: Bangladesh
Friday, Feb. 2 | 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, and UA System employees
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center 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
Fridays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 | 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 will host its weekly support and dialogue group for LGBTQIA+ identified students and their allies, Rainbow Connection. 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.
One UA Week
Feb. 5-9
One UA Week, an annual initiative organized by the UA Student Government Association, is dedicated to reinforcing the values of unity, respect and community spirit within the university. The theme “Hate Doesn’t Roll Here” serves as a reminder of the university’s commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment for all. This week includes a variety of activities and events aimed at engaging students, faculty and staff in positive, community-building experiences. It’s an opportunity for the entire campus to come together, celebrate the diverse makeup of our university, and uphold the traditions and values that are central to the University of Alabama’s identity.
The week includes a pledge signing, giveaways, Hallowed Grounds tours, service opportunities and more. View the schedule of events for the week.
Cinnamon Rolls Not Gender Roles
Mondays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 | Safe Zone Student Lounge, 2418 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA Students
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host its weekly Cinnamon Rolls, not Gender Roles program for individuals of all identities to come together, eat pastries, and discuss topics concerning gender identity and performance in our current culture and climate. Participants will learn about special topics as they pertain to the understanding of gender.
‘Oedipus’
Feb. 5-10 | 7:30-9:30 p.m., 2 p.m. | Allen Bales Theatre
Feb. 11 | 2 p.m. | Allen Bales Theatre
The UA Department of Theatre and Dance is continuing its season with the first production of the spring semester, “Oedipus,” originally written by Sophocles. The tale details Oedipus, a man that learns from an oracle of his supposed future. In his own attempt to outsmart and outrun his destiny, he directly collides with it, which highlights the overarching question of whether we create our own destiny or fulfill the one written for us. With over 20 years of professional experience in the arts community from writing, directing, and producing, this play has been adapted by Benny Lee Harris Lumpkins, Jr., a first-year MFA Theatre Candidate with a concentration in Directing. This production is a new take on the classic Greek tragedy about fate and free will that poses questions of whether people are able to escape their destiny.
Tickets are $15 for adult patrons and $10 for students and group sales. Purchase tickets in Rowand-Johnson Hall at the ticket office, by phone at 205-348-3400, or online at ua.universitytickets.com.
Study Abroad Pop-Up Advising
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
Open to UA students
Education Abroad hosts weekly pop-up advising sessions on studying abroad. The sessions are first-come, first-served walk-ins where students have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an Education Abroad adviser. This weekly event takes place on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Study Abroad office at studyabroad@ua.edu.
Pop Up Shop: Black History Month
Wednesday, Feb. 7 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
Open to UA Students, Faculty & Staff, UA System
The Intercultural Diversity Center celebrates Black History Month with an interactive program that focuses on the 2024 theme of African Americans and the Arts. Participants will be offered virtual presentations, conversation starters, and have an opportunity to celebrate a dynamic culture that has spread worldwide in arts, music, literature and film. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Dr. Ethel Hall Colloquium
Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bryant Conference Center Birmingham Room
The Dr. Ethel Hall Colloquium is the School of Social Work’s signature social justice event. It highlights issues that impact the quality of communities including maternal health disparities, criminal justice reform, etc. Maria Morrison of the Equal Justice Initiative will be the keynote speaker. She will discuss her role as a social worker and describe the journey of advocacy work around mass incarceration. Nathifa Dance Company will give a musical performance.
Year of the Dragon Cultural Gala 2024
Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m.-8 p.m. | Student Center Ballroom
This collaboration Lunar New Year event includes free food, cultural performances and crafts, and KPOP dances from HallyUA and KPOC. The Year of the Dragon Cultural Gala is hosted by the Chinese Culture Club, Vietnamese Student and Scholar Association, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, and Asian American Student and Scholar Association with the participation of partners HallyUA, KPOC, Japanese Language and Culture Society and New College Student Council. In honor of the Year of Dragon, our event will celebrate the uniqueness and harmony of different East and Southeast Asian cultures. Through this event, these organizations seek to foster a support network among the Asian community at UA and raise students’ awareness of the diversity in Asian cultures. RSVP for the event in MySource.
Learn more about Lunar New Year.
Multicultural Coffee Hour: Vietnam
Friday, Feb. 9 | 11:30 a.m.- 1p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA students, faculty and staff, and UA System employees
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center 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.
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year
Saturday, Feb. 10
Feb. 10, 2024, begins Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, one of the most important celebrations in East and Southeast Asian cultures. The event is filled with family reunions, visits to family and friends, food and gifts over several days.
UA faculty member Dr. Di Luo, associate professor of history, presented the information about the holiday in December as part UA’s Diversity, Coffee and Conversations monthly series focusing on creating awareness and understanding of various commemorative months and cultural celebrations. Dr. Luo’s research area is Asian history and her research interests include modern Chinese history, history of everyday life in 20th century China, history of information management, comparative literacy studies, and war and society. She currently is working on a digital project on the history of the Asian community at UA and in Tuscaloosa.
Learn more about Lunar New Year.
11th Annual Tuscaloosa Africana Film Festival
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 2 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Student Center Theatre
The 11th Annual Tuscaloosa Africana Film Festival presents a diverse selection of films that explore the rich cultures, histories and experiences of Africa and its diaspora.
Films
“Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You to Know” is a documentary about the life, work and death of Walter Rodney, one of the intellectuals of the civil rights movement. His book, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” is a staple for many university courses across the globe.
“The Africologist” is a futuristic documentary on Africa’s history through science and technology. With a 3D character, whom we travel along a chronological timeline starting with the birth of the universe, the origins of humanity in Africa. Africa’s Golden Age from Kemet to Great Zimbabwe, its dark ages from slavery through colonialism and the rebirth of freedom during the post- colonial era. Along the way, Africa’s major contributions to science and technology serve as a thread to connect the stories.
Shorts
“Kpeshie Egbo” (Dead Lagoon), the winning film of the 2023 Benpaali Film Festival in Ghana, offers a microcosm into the larger environmental catastrophe which awaits the country, if no timely action is taken.
“Oko K3 Akueteh” (Treading Water) is a compelling short on how a traumatic event is dealt with psychologically within the traditional context.
“Bride Untangled” is where modernity and tradition collide at a wedding ceremony, depicting the cultural complexity of Africa, through a Nigerian lens.
“Omugwo” is about postpartum depression.
The event is co-sponsored by The Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation, UA African Students Association, Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International, UA College of Community Health Sciences, and Aframsouth Inc. General admission is $10 and student admission is $5. More details and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Allen v. Milligan: The Intersectionality of Race, Elections and Democracy
Friday, Feb. 16 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | UA School of Law
This symposium explores the history of the Voting Rights Act—an Act with deep ties to the state of Alabama—and considers the changing landscape of election law. The keynote speaker, Evan Milligan, will provide especially enriching commentary on the intersectionality of election law and race. Milligan, as the named representative plaintiff in Allen v. Milligan, brings a unique personal perspective on these issues. The symposium, which is sponsored by the UA School of Law, will include panels of government officials, litigants, and academics in an effort to provide as complete an analysis as possible of this complex issue. RSVP to attend.
Multicultural Coffee Hour: Brazil
Friday, Feb. 16 | 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, and UA System employees
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center 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.
Redefining Strong: Black Women’s Mental Health
Monday, Feb. 19 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Camellia Room, Gorgas Library
This event will be a discussion on Black women’s mental health, taking care of oneself, and prioritizing rest. Presenters will be Shannon Welch, assistant director of clinical services at the UA Women and Gender Resource Center; Sharika Pruitt, licensed professional counselor supervisor and executive clinical director of Crossroads to Pathways Counseling; Dr. Wanda Martin Burton, assistant professor in the UA Capstone College of Nursing; and Angelique Horace, staff therapist at the UA Counseling Center. The event is sponsored by the UA Black Faculty and Staff Association, the Women and Gender Resource Center, Ignite, and Women of Excellence.
TEDTalk Tuesday: How art gives shape to cultural change
Tuesday, Feb. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
Open to UA students, faculty, staff, and UA System employees
In recognition of Black History Month, the Intercultural Diversity Center continues the TEDTalk Tuesday series by featuring Thelma Golden, curator at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. Golden talks through three recent shows that explore how art examines and redefines culture. This talk highlights this year’s theme of “African Americans in the Arts” through her “post-Black” artists using their art to provoke a new dialogue about race and culture and about the meaning of art itself. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Body Appreciation Week
Feb. 19-23
Join various departments in the Division of Student Life to celebrate Body Appreciation Week. The objectives of the week are to raise awareness about eating disorders, provide available resources, help promote positive body image across all gender identities, encourage constructive dialogue about these issues and help prevent the development of eating-disordered behaviors and attitudes.
Coffee & Mental Health
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA students, faculty and staff, and UA System employees
The Intercultural Diversity Center and the UA Counseling Center present Coffee and Mental Health as a place for participants to speak with a therapist in a one-on-one setting. The program provides an environment for participants to ask questions, get to know a UA therapist and learn about counseling as a student resource. The program also offers a space for students to learn about the mental wellbeing resources the counseling center has and ways students can connect with the counseling center. Coffee and Mental Health is held each third Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Intercultural Diversity Center. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Healing History: A Shared Experience Toward Common Ground
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | John England Hall Multipurpose Space
Faculty and Staff: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 3 p.m.-5 p.m. | Registration required
Students: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. | Registration required
Presented by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in collaboration with the Alabama Humanities Alliance, the Healing History initiative is designed to strengthen communities, workforces, and the state by helping Alabamians examine their shared history and get to know each other better across race, religion, politics, and all the supposed dividing lines that should not keep people apart. The intent is to build trust, foster empathy, and grow community through mutually respectful discussions about our shared past, present, and future.
Birmingham native Kathy Boswell, founder of B-Intentional, is the presenter for the sessions. B-Intentional is a company that focuses on people with a goal of strengthening the connections and engagement of people where they work and serve. Boswell formerly served as interim director of the Birmingham Education Foundation, director of learning and development with Baptist Health System, and as a consultant with Healthcare Experience Foundation. She also served as executive vice president of community and volunteer engagement with the World Games 2022 Birmingham.
Two sessions are available for faculty and staff and an evening session is available for students. Participants are encouraged to show up with an open mind and willingness to listen and share. Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 19, at noon. Food will be provided at all sessions.
EveryWoman Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 22 | noon-1 p.m. | Legend’s Bistro inside Hotel Capstone
EveryWoman Book Club will read and discuss “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison. This 1977 New York Times Bestseller novel follows the life of Macon “Milkman” Dead III, an African American man living in Michigan, from birth to adulthood. “Song of Solomon” also won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1977.
EveryWoman Book Club is geared towards graduate students, staff, faculty and community members and meets monthly. RSVP to ELester1@ua.edu.
What Makes You Beautiful Photo Campaign
Thursday, Feb. 22 | 3 p.m.-4 p.m. | Location to be announced after sign-up
In celebration of Body Appreciation Week, the Women and Gender Resource Center is looking for people interested in having their photos taken for UA promotional materials. Students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to participate. The link to sign up is tinyurl.com/WGRCPhoto.
Multicultural Coffee Hour: Japan
Friday, Feb. 23 | 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, and UA System employees
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center 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.
Culverhouse African American Alumni Network Conference
Friday, Feb. 23 | 12:15 p.m.-6 p.m. | Alston Hall
The Culverhouse African American Network Conference 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. View the panelists’ bios.
The alumni recognition luncheon, which celebrates the professional and societal contributions of exemplary Culverhouse alumni, will be held in conjunction with the conference will be held Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. View the honorees’ bios.
View conference registration and luncheon ticket information.
Women in Athletics Leadership Panel
Monday, Feb. 26 | 6 p.m.-7 p.m. | 104 Doster Hall
The 2024 panel comprised highly accomplished leaders in collegiate sports who will share their challenges and victories and share the advice they would give themselves at the start of their careers. Panelists will be staff members from UA Athletics: Dr. Karin Lee, deputy director of athletics, senior women’s administrator and chief diversity officer; Amy Bragg, director of performance nutrition; Brandy Lyerly, associate director of football operations; and Dr. Ginger Gilmore, director of behavioral medicine and athletic trainer for football.
Register for the event. Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 19.
MLK Elementary Book Drive
Through March 1
The UA School of Social Work’s Diversity Committee invites the campus to help provide books for students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School as a way to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. Books can be purchased and dropped off at Little Hall or ordered via the School of Social Work Amazon wish list. Titles purchased through the wish list can be shipped directly to the School of Social Work and retained in the collection box in Little Hall. Donations will be accepted through March 1, when books will be delivered to children during Read Across America Week. For updates, visit the UA SSW DEI Events webpage. More information: contact Leah Cheatham at lpcheatham@ua.edu.