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‘Educate and Elevate’: ABS events during Black History Month

Students participate in an activity at the Association of Black Students (ABS) retreat. (Photo courtesy of the WashU Association of Black Students)
This February, the Association of Black Students (ABS) has a lineup of events centered around education and elevating Black students at WashU. From a Super Bowl watch party to a panel with Black law professionals, sophomore and ABS President Spencer Snipe hopes to engage the whole WashU community this month.
“When we first met as an Executive Board last spring following our election, we made it imperative to have meaningful and consistent programming throughout the year,” Snipe told Student Life. “Our Black History Month plans are a testament to this mission.”
Event schedule
Black Hair Roundtable
When: Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Ursa’s Fireside
What: In collaboration with the Black Men’s Coalition and the Black Women and Femmes Collective, ABS will be hosting a community discussion about how to style hair for social and professional settings, as well as how racial stereotyping can occur through hair.
General Body Meeting
When: Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Simon 018
What: ABS hosts monthly general body meetings for the community to have time with ABS’ Executive Board to discuss future events and general sentiments of the Black community at WashU.
Super Bowl Watch Party
When: Feb. 9
Where: Hamsini House (House 5, Fraternity Row)
What: Football fans are invited to join ABS — along with Hamsini, the WashU Black Letterwinning Athlete Coalition, and the Black Men’s Coalition — to watch the Super Bowl with snacks and good company.
RSVP Sexual Assault Awareness
When: Feb. 10, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Ursa’s Fireside
What: This awareness event will center around educating people on how to avoid and report sexual assault on campus, in collaboration with the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center and the Black Women and Femmes Collective.
Black Law Panel
When: Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Bryan Cave Moot Court Room, Anheuser-Busch Hall
What: This panel will include Black lawyers from private and public sectors, Black law professors, and Black law students, and is geared towards Black undergraduate students who are considering going into the field of law.
Black Creative Night
When: Feb. 12, 6-8 p.m.
Where: ABS Lounge — Women’s Building, Third Floor
What: For students with a body of creative work they want to share, ABS will be hosting an event in collaboration with Noir and the Sam Fox Black Students Network so that students can display their art.
Black Love Event
When: Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Simon 1
What: Just before Valentine’s Day, ABS invites students to ask themselves the question, “What does ideal Black love look like?” This event, hosted alongside the African Students Association (ASA), is a space to discuss as a community how to form and maintain genuine relationships, both platonic and romantic.
Keynote Speech – Speaker TBA
When: Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Graham Chapel
What: ABS will be hosting a keynote speaker event with a guest speaker who will address important themes of Black History Month. The speaker will be announced on ABS’ socials later this month.
Defend The Dream: Gephardt Civic Action Week — ACLU Volunteer Drive
When: Feb. 19, 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
Where: DUC Table 5
What: As part of their service work, ABS will be tabling for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri in order to gather volunteers who will help uphold constitutional rights.
Navigating Black Athletic Success
When: Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m.
Where: TMR Room — Sumers Rec Center
What: The final event slated for Black History Month is a collaboration with the WashU Black Letterwinning Athlete Coalition to help guide Black student-athletes on how to use their experience here at WashU to find success in their professional life.
For more information about Black History Month events at WashU, students can look at the ABS website and Instagram page, as well as WashU’s Cross-Cultural Connections’ calendar of events.