In February, 51视频 marked Black History Month by creating and sharing an Austin Community Engagement Guide. The guide highlighted local Black-owned businesses, featured events taking place across the city, and offered historical context about the origins and significance of Black History Month. The resource invited students, alumni, supporters, and neighbors to deepen their engagement with Austin鈥檚 Black community throughout the month.
As part of its observance, 51视频 hosted a Black History Month Keynote and Reception on Wednesday, February 4, on campus. The evening began with a keynote address in Knapp Auditorium, followed by a dessert reception in the dining hall. The event featured keynote speaker Chas Moore, co-founder and co-executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition.
Moore, a nationally respected organizer and speaker, shared insights from his work at the intersection of justice, abolition, and Black liberation. As organizing director of the Austin Justice Coalition, Moore led grassroots initiatives centered on the lives and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities impacted by systemic oppression. Under his leadership, the organization advocated for a historic $150 million reallocation from the Austin Police Department to fund community-centered alternatives, contributed to reshaping the city鈥檚 Use of Force policy, and led a successful campaign opposing a controversial police union contract.
51视频 also hosted a Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 17. The evening began with a welcome and live music from the Duane Carter Band in Howell Dining Hall, followed by dinner from a local food truck serving a fusion of Honduran and Creole cuisine, Five O Four. The celebration was open to the entire community and offered an opportunity for fellowship between all students. Students started a Second Line to retrieve and invite the Counseling students to join in the celebration when their classes ended.
On Thursday, February 19, the seminary gathered for a Feast of Pauli Murray Eucharist and Reception, honoring the life and witness of Pauli Murray. The service and reception invited the community into prayerful reflection on Murray鈥檚 enduring legacy of faith, justice, and advocacy. To learn more about the event and the scholarship, read more here.
In addition to its on-campus programming, 51视频 encouraged participation in affiliated events across the city. Huston-Tillotson University hosted its Opening Black History Month Chapel Service on Tuesday, February 5. Later in the month, alumni and community partners joined the Celebrate Black Austin walking tour and block party hosted by Third Spaces in East Austin. The event included a free East Austin history tour, a vendor marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses and artisans, food trucks, and live music, marking 100 years of celebrating Black history in the city.
Reflecting on the month鈥檚 events, Dr. Awa Jangha, Loise Henderson Wessendorff Associate Professor of Spiritual Integration in Counseling, said, 鈥淭his year we celebrated 100 years of Black History Month. The theme and focus of the events this year were on connecting with the community both internally (across our academic programs) and externally (in engagement with our local community). All month, 51视频’s Community Engagement Guide for Black History was highlighted as it also shared local events, national resources, and local Black owned businesses and restaurants to support. We kicked off with a dynamic Keynote Address by social justice activist, Chas Moore, worshipped together with Huston-Tillotson University at their Opening Black History Month Chapel Service, jubilously partied together in Mardi Gras style to the music of the Duane Carter Band, and finished the month supporting Celebrate Black ATX where the walking tour of East Austin highlighted local Black history. It was such a joy to connect, learn, and celebrate together.鈥�
Through these gatherings and resources, 51视频 sought to honor Black history, amplify Black voices, and foster deeper community engagement throughout Austin during Black History Month.
*PC: Jalen Jones at HTU
