February 3, 2025

Dear GW Business Community,

As we step into February, we have opportunities for reflection, learning, and cultural appreciation—through Black History Month, Lunar New Year celebrations, and 3rd GWSB Diversity and Allyship Week.

February is recognized as Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and resilience of the Black community. In Washington, DC, the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement is ever-present. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the Tidal Basin is a place of reflection. His "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered steps away at the Lincoln Memorial, remains a cornerstone of American history. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) provides an in-depth exploration of Black culture and history. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site provides us a deeper understanding of an important abolitionist leader and how his work set the stage for leaders like Dr. King. 

February also brings celebrations of the Lunar New Year, which began on January 29 and extends into this month. Washington, DC’s Chinatown community hosted its annual parade on February 2nd. To experience Lunar New Year, the Freer and Sackler Galleries offer cultural programs, including traditional craft workshops and demonstrations of tea ceremonies.

Diversity and Allyship Week (February 3-7, 2025)

Let’s celebrate 3rd GWSB Diversity and Allyship Week! We kicked off Diversity and Allyship week on Monday, February 3rd, with Global Culture Day, celebrating the richness and diversity of cultures within our community. Throughout the week, we have a dynamic lineup of events to bring us together, honor the unique perspectives that make up our community, and raise awareness about fostering equity, inclusion, and allyship.

Here is the summary of events:

February 3: 

Global Culture Day, 1-3:30pm Grand Ballroom, Third Floor, University Student Center

February 4:

Panel on Neurodiversity: Empowering Differences: Neurodiversity in Education, Leadership, and Beyond – Virtual – 12:30pm -1:30pm. 

Panelists: Sean Hoffman (Partner, KPMG), Scott Gibson (Chief Strategy Officer, Melwood), and  Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura (Associate Professor, GSHED)

Moderator: Miranda Montenegro (GMBA and Master of Business Analytics student)

Career Town Hall: The Future of Recruiting – 6-7:15pm, Funger 108

February 5: 

Shaping the Future: Indigenous Leadership and the Student Experience – 4-6:30pm Duques 553

February 6:

George Talks Business and Maxon Lecture: Transforming Tech Innovation with Inclusive Perspectives- Rayvon Fouche (Associate Dean for Graduate Education, School of Communication, Northwestern University) – Jack Morton Auditorium – 5:30pm-6:00pm - (Reception at 6pm)

February 7:

Book Club: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson - 4pm-5pm, Duques 150. 

Books are available for students at the front desk of the Dean’s Office (Duques 660) on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

See you all in our events this week! Wishing a meaningful February!

Şenay Ağca, Ph.D. 
Professor of Finance, and of Decision Sciences
Chief Diversity Officer
Chair, Dean’s Diversity Council 
George Washington University School of Business