WIU marks Black History Month with six February events | Courtesy of Shutterstock
WIU marks Black History Month with six February events | Courtesy of Shutterstock
"Kujichagulia" translates to self-determination — the second principle of the Kwanzaa holiday — and also serves as the title for this year’s February commemoration of Black History Month, sponsored by Western Illinois University’s (WIU) Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center.
Pronounced “koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah,” the word connotes independence and free will. It represents the second of seven principles of Kwanzaa and is traditionally commemorated on the holiday’s second day.
This month’s WIU events — all free and open to the public — include a variety of activities.
First, at 7 p.m. Feb. 16, "Why I Love Black Women" is slated for the University Union Heritage Room.
Next, four events are scheduled for the Multicultural Center: Conscious Conversations at noon on Feb. 2 -- Career Night, 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 20; Brothers' Roundtable, 7 p.m. on Feb. 23; and Black Student Summit, 10 a.m. on Feb. 25.
Finally, at 8 p.m. Feb. 25, a Black Excellence Ball is planned for the University Union Lamoine Room.
Event co-sponsors include WIU Career Development Center, the Black Male Achievement Network (BMAN), Culture CRU, the Black Student Summit and the NAACP Collegiate Chapter. For more event information, contact the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center at 309-298-2220. The university’s Macomb Campus is located at 1 University Circle in Macomb.
Kwanzaa is typically celebrated for one week in both the U.S. and abroad.
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