Mercer University has a variety of events planned in celebration of Black History Month. Here are some events that will be held in Macon and/or online. Want to add your campus event to this list? Email the details to honaker_am@mercer.edu. Fill out this form to have your event included on Mercer’s online calendar.
Black History Month Celebration Game
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 2
Where: Hawkins Arena, Macon campus
Details: For the men’s basketball game against UNC-Greensboro, Mercer Athletics is partnering with Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages to recognize African American-owned businesses in downtown Macon and the surrounding community. African American business owners can receive complimentary game tickets through this link. They can reserve areas within Hawkins Arena to showcase their business during the game by contacting Director of Marketing Jarius Fields at fields_jb@mercer.edu or by calling (478) 297-7551.
Taste and See: The Culture
When: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 3
Where: Penfield Hall, Macon campus
Details: Quadworks is hosting a fashion show for students to showcase their cultures. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional outfits that represent their culture and heritage. Food will also be served. Register to be in the fashion show here.
Black History Month Film Series: Genres of Black Film
Whe: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, 13, 16, 20 and 27
Where: Feb. 16 screening will be held in Stetson Hall, Room 25; all others will be held in Godsey Science Center, Room 103, Macon campus.
Details: Mercer’s media studies and Africana studies programs will host five film screenings throughout February, with students introducing each film and leading a discussion afterwards. The schedule is “Harlem Nights” on Feb. 6, “Love Jones” on Feb. 13, “Moonlight” on Feb. 16, “Eve’s Bayou” on Feb. 20 and “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse” on Feb. 27.
“You’re Grown … Now What?”
When: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9
Where: Connell Student Center, Conference Room 3, Macon campus
Details: Quadworks LEAD and other Black professionals will walk attendees through the basics of navigating adulthood as a young, Black person. Students will have the opportunity to bond with their community and have free professional headshots taken.
“Race and Surgery in America”
When: Noon, Feb. 16
Where: Zoom, meeting ID 979 038 9963
Details: The School of Medicine hosts a Black History Month lecture with Dr. Don Nakayama, senior associate dean of the School of Medicine Columbus campus. Dr. Nakayama, a pediatric surgeon in active clinical practice at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, will give a presentation on “Race and Surgery in America.” The event is open to all Mercer students, faculty and staff.
“Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power”
When: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16
Where: Willet Science Center Auditorium, Macon campus
Details: Screening of this 2022 documentary is sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Mercer Social Justice Book Club, Spencer B. King Jr. Center for Southern Studies, Department of Africana Studies, Department of History, Department of Sociology and Mercer Votes Coalition. The event is free and open to the public.
Minority Student Success Conference
When: 4-6 p.m. Feb. 24
Where: Connell Student Center, Conference Room 1, Macon campus, and virtual
Details: Mercer first- and second-year students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to this annual event sponsored by Mercer’s Office of Minority Affairs. The event will include a keynote speech and scholarship presentation. Register at https://form.jotform.com/OS_MMP/mssc-application-2023
Jazz Club Night
When: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 24
Where: Historic Quad, Macon campus
Details: Quadworks is taking its annual Black History Month cookout to another level this year. Attendees will be able to enjoy jazz and blues music as well as light snacks.
Race Relations Town Hall
When: Noon, Feb. 28
Where: Zoom, Macon campus (check back for updated Zoom information)
Details: This event, hosted by the School of Medicine, will featuree Mike Caputo, licensed marriage and family therapist at Mercer Medicine; Dr. Ansley Booker, director of diversity and inclusion initiatives at Mercer; and Wanda Thomas, School of Medicine chief diversity officer, as speakers.
