02/07/2024
Dear Campus Community Members,
February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the enduring contributions and honor the deep sacrifices of the African American community. Throughout this month, I hope you will take time to appreciate the richness of Black history and culture, wrestle with the tragic legacy of slavery and oppression in our country, and take action in the ongoing struggle for equal rights.
All members of the campus community are invited to attend M3: Martin, Malcolm, and Muhammad on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Rasmussen Rotunda. We’ll be joined by Terryl Ross, Ph.D., for an interactive presentation on the lasting impact of three iconic Black leaders—Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Muhammad Ali. Together, we will explore how their legacies live on in social justice movements like Black Lives Matter, how their stories continue to resonate, and what they might say about America today. Dr. Ross is a longtime educator and activist and the vice president of anti-racism, equity, diversity & inclusion at Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region.
This is just one of several events you can take part in across campus during Black History Month. There are also ways to get involved in the wider Tacoma community’s celebrations, including the Black History Month film series at the Grand Cinema and the Black Night Market’s Third Annual Black History Month Market on Feb. 24 from 12–6 p.m. at Mount Tahoma High School. You can find a list of local events on Pierce County’s website.
This Black History Month, let us celebrate the extraordinary history of the African American community, honor the generations who continue to fight for freedom, and recommit ourselves to working for a more just and equitable nation.
Sincerely,
Lorna Hernandez Jarvis, PHD | VP of Institutional Equity and Diversity