Black History Month is a time for recognition, homage, and celebration of past and present icons whose contributions help pave the way for us all. Even in the 2020s, “firsts” are still being accomplished by Black people worldwide. Right here in our very state, 2021 marked the election of our first Black female president of the North Carolina NAACP, Deborah Dicks Maxwell, and our first Black female mayor of Durham, Elaine O’Neal. While we uplift the accomplishments and experiences of Black people every day at the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, Black History Month provides a specific theme and period for us to do so with great intentionality. The February 2022 theme, as determined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, was Black Health and Wellness. Our Center celebrated this theme with two signature events and a social media campaign.

On February 6, the Mary Lou Williams Center kicked off our inaugural Black History Month with a keynote lecture featuring Tricia Hersey of the Nap Ministry, who presented to campus and community members on the topic of rest. Over 150 participants logged in to hear Hersey’s keynote lecture, entitled We Are Meant to Thrive: The Time to Rest is Now. At a time when mental health and burnout are significant concerns for many, especially students, we believed it was essential to bring a speaker who could introduce strategies for combatting "grind culture". Hersey discussed concepts of "rest as resistance" and building in rest periods for healing. Students, faculty, and staff also had the opportunity to participate in a virtual nap experience the day before the keynote address. During the lecture, Hersey utilized storytelling and Black history to create a one-of-a-kind experience for participants to focus inward and welcome silence.

As a result of these events, Mary Lou staff have heard from students actively discussing how to be successful while simultaneously fitting in rest. We have also seen inspired community members creating events that honor rest. We hope that the conversation continues and that our entire Duke community has something to take away from Hersey’s message.

On February 15 Duke Dining recognized Chris Cox, Lead Production Worker at Marketplace and Trinity Café!

Chris was nominated because during his 15 + years with Duke Dining he has developed and exhibited great leadership qualities. As a lead production worker, Chris demonstrates strong attention to detail and has really fine-tuned his cooking skills. He continuously has a positive attitude and a willingness to help out wherever needed. Congratulations Chris!

Click PLAY below and find out! 

If your office would like to continue requiring masks be worn by all when entering a specific location, please feel free to utilize the following sign. The sign template can also be found under the Duke Student Affairs Canva enterprise for you to edit or add a logo.

On March 16 at 6:00 p.m. the Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA) invites you to join our community vigil space, as we honor the lives of the 2021 Atlanta Salon Shooting victims and process the recent attacks to beloved A/API community members. Attendees are welcome to bring offerings (ex: flowers) for the community altar. We are also providing an option to attend the vigil via Zoom (Meeting ID: 995 6019 5349).