The Joy of Connecting
In February, we celebrate the significant contributions of Black Americans to our history, culture, and economy — really, to every aspect of life.
At the Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC), we celebrated Black History Month as “Unapologetically Black Month” and highlighted the strength of community as Black students came into joy and celebration with each other. Jenée Spencer, director of intercultural affairs and Black student specialist, says, “Being unapologetically Black and proud of one’s heritage across the diaspora is so important to celebrating and uplifting Black identities throughout campus. During the month of February, we centered Black joy, Black love, and Black communities with all the beauty therein.”
At the BCC, Black History Month got underway with a screening and discussion of the docuseries The 1619 Project on February 5. This docuseries expands on the long-form journalism project of the same name, created by New York Times Magazine journalist and Iowan Nicole Hannah-Jones. The 1619 Project reframed American history by placing slavery, its consequences, and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of our national story.
On February 8, students enjoyed a spa night at the BCC. The evening included manicures, pedicures, face masks, and other self-care activities to help renew students’ spirits, with plenty of time to chat and enjoy each other’s company. “As students invest in their futures through education and community involvement, it is imperative that the students make time to take care of their minds, bodies, and spirits through activities that renew and refresh. Rest is resistance!” Spencer says.
On February 9, the BCC hosted “Cooking with Conney,” a popular monthly event that brings in a faculty or staff member to cook a meal for and with students. The designated cook spends time with the students, building community, while everyone enjoys a tasty meal together. In February, “Cooking with Conney” brought Dennis Perkins, assistant dean of residence life and student conduct, to the BCC, and student participants enjoyed conversation about family and food traditions.
Of course, Valentines’ Day gets some love at Grinnell. Many people think of Eros love, but the students practiced a love of community as they came together to laugh, compete, and eat as they engaged with community and deepened their interpersonal connections.
Through the month of February, Men of Color Empowered and Engaged, and Garden: the Black Women’s Group, have continued weekly meetings, engaging in conversations around contemporary Black community.
The BCC closed “Unapologetically Black Month” with visits from alumni guests. Dr. Irma McClaurin ’73 joined Garden as a guest facilitator, exploring the depths and nuance of Black female friendship. Eden Gregory ’19 hosted “Black & _____,” a young alumni speaker series out of the BCC that centers storytelling around identity exploration at the intersections of Black identity at Grinnell and beyond.
Spencer says, “Through Unapologetically Black Month programming, current students had the opportunity to understand Black success at and beyond Grinnell, a reminder to all of us that our Black Grinnellians are creators of Black history.”