From the EDI Office – Black History Month 2023 Weekly Resources and Events

These times for connection are meant to encourage SEHD to understand that the student experience is unique. We hope that you will utilize (by participating, exploring, and sharing) these events and resources during Black History Month (BHM2023).

This week’s focus is on the experiences of Black faculty & staff.

From Black Student Services (a program of CII: the Center for Identity and Inclusion): Visit Black Student Services Events to learn about, participate in, and share with students:

CII has some amazing Black History Month Events happening. This week’s event is called Hair & Culture on February 15, 2023, at 3:00 pm in the Students Commons, 2000. BSS will host a guest speaker who will discuss hair, culture, and the importance hair has played within the Black community. This is a great way to meet some of our Black student organization leaders in African Student Union (ASU)Black Girl Equity Alliance (BGEA), and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Also, please let Precious Palmer or anyone at the Center for Identity and Inclusion, if you need support or guidance during the semester. CII is here to help you. And join their IG page to learn more about their resources. @cudenver_cii

For information about community resources that support the mental health of Blacks in the Denver region: https://caahealth.org/

Programs include:

  • Therapists of Color Collaborative Referral Program
  • Emotional Emancipation Circles
  • Barbershop Talks

Highlighting B@SEHD affinity group for faculty & staff in SEHD’s EDI 

A Black affinity group for faculty & staff (B@SEHD) was established in early December. This group is open to all SEHD faculty and staff who identify as Black and is a space for collective support, connection and community. If you are interested in connecting with this group, the office of EDI can help. Let us know, and we’ll get you connected to the meetings on 2/22 in the Lawrence Streets Center, room 648 from 12-1:30 pm., as we gather for a potluck lunch following SEHD faculty meetings.

If you are interested in forming another affinity group, such as one of specific disability, sexual orientation, or religion, please reach out and we will help cultivate those opportunities, together.

If you’re looking for some resources to develop your understanding of Black student uniqueness in strengths-based ways,  here’s a resource on Denver’s Black history.  Additionally,  a statewide (mobile) resource on Black history in Colorado. For a resource focused on building a professional community of Blacks in higher ed, we have the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education. If you are in need of a resource focused on improving the Black-servingness of higher education institutions throughout the US, look to Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. How about info about a membership organization focused on intersectional encouragement and support of Black women in higher education?

Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Associate Dean Antwan Jefferson: antwan.jefferson@ucdenver.edu

Graduate Assistant: valerie.richmond@ucdenver.edu