Dr. Lisa Brown
University of the Incarnate Word
Celebrating Black History Month
The University of the Incarnate Word is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Join us for a series of events featuring UIW students, faculty and community members who will recall their experiences, reflect on Black history and the current issues of social justice our country faces, and share steps we can all take to create a more just society.
2025 Black History Month Events
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March for Justice
Jan. 20, 2025, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
UIW students, staff and faculty will be participating in the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. March organized by the City of San Antonio on Jan. 20. UIW transportation will be provided.
For more information, please visit the City of San Antonio website or contact Dr. Arturo Chavez by email at aechavez@uiwtx.edu.
The Role of Black American Gospel & Spiritual Music Traditions: Inspirational Adult Education Pedagogy
Feb. 3 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom and Online
This presentation and roundtable discussions will examine the historical and contemporary role that Negro Spirituals, Black Church Music, and Contemporary Gospel have played as instruments for adult education and revolutionary spiritual development among adults. The Round Tables comprised of scholars, students, Christians, and others who will discuss the historical roots of Black American music and how the balance between secular artistry and the movement of the charismata may conflict with their messaging designed for a diverse range of parishioners (emerging adults and church Elders) juxtaposition those outside the more formal religious spaces of African American worship and discipleship praxis. Participants will deconstruct the impact of social media and mass media as vehicles for propaganda that has led to or promoted a phenomenon described as the "generation of the unchurched." We will also examine the fallout of singing the Life Every Voice and Sing as part of the 2024 NFL Superbowl during Black History Month. In our analysis, we will deconstruct the Gospel Music origins of the song dubbed the Black National Anthem and its implication for triggering outcries about its performance and lyrics at the annual event. We will explore how scholarship and empirical research might be introduced to pastoral staff and volunteers to enhance relevant civic and community engagement grounded in faith-based teaching and values.
Read the full article "Instructional Perspectives of Christian Educators in the Black Church"
Join us in person or online using a secure virtual link.
Contact: Dr. Lisa Brown, Dreeben School of Education
Email: lrbrown5@uiwtx.edu
Event Co-Presenters
Dr. Marc Gray Jr.
Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio
Lisa Caldwell
UIW PhD Student, Macedonia Baptist Church
Dr. Kevin Goode
The Church of the Harvest Church of God (Ohio)
Dr. Paulette Isaac-Savage
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Post Election “Table Top” Conversation on Race & Gender
Feb. 6 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) 2030-2031
As One We Will (AOWW) and the UIW Office of DEI invite you to join us for safe and brave conversation on what we are learning about ourselves and our country in this post-election time of uncertainty. Regardless of who you voted for, we can agree that our country and our families are painfully divided. Respectful dialogue and conversation – across differences -can help us heal as individuals and communities. We especially want to focus on what the election is teaching us about racial and gender differences.
Contact: Taylor Demby, “As One We Will” Student Organization
Email: demby@student.uiwtx.edu
A Global Expert on “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease”
Feb. 17, 18 & 19
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish will share in San Antonio during the week of Feb. 16, 2025. Abuelaish is a Palestinian Canadian physician, and an internationally recognized human rights and inspirational peace activist devoted to advancing health and educational opportunities for women and girls in the Middle East. He started Daughters for Life Foundation after his daughters were killed.
He has received 20 Honorary Doctorates and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is being brought to San Antonio by the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office. In the 1800’s, when ten percent of the population of San Antonio had died of contagious diseases, the Incarnate Word Sisters started the first public health care in response to the plea of the mayor. In that tradition of care for life, the Sisters host Dr. Abuelaish.
Check the event calendar for session times.
Monday, Feb 17
Doctors’ Round Table: “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease” with Key Medical Leaders and Educators from the Community
- Free and open to the public
- Student Engagement Center Ballroom
- See event times for sessions
- Join us for dinner at 5:45 p.m., register here.
Tuesday, Feb 18
“Lift a Daughter—For Life” Benefit Dinner
- We support Dr. Abuelaish's foundation's work to educate Middle Eastern women to contribute to more peaceful societies.
- See event times for sessions
- The Village’s CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Wednesday, Feb 19
Dr. Abuelaish will speak about his book “I Shall Not Hate”
- The Village’s CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
- See event times for sessions
Contact: Sister Martha Ann Kirk
Email: kirk@uiwtx.edu
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, an internationally recognized medical researcher, human rights and peace activist, will be in San Antonio to present and discuss his research on “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease.”
A life-long cultural bridge-builder born and raised in Gaza, he was one of the first Palestinian doctors to work in both Israeli and Palestinian hospitals. He believes that health care providers can be human equalizers, socializers, harmonizers and stabilizers.
Dr. Abuelaish’s book, I Shall not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity, speaks to the deaths of three of his teen-aged daughters and his niece in the Gaza war of 2009. Dr. Abuelaish has transformed this tragedy into an even stronger commitment to heal hatred and revenge with peace and forgiveness. I Shall not Hate has been translated into 23 languages and made into a film.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel said about Abuelaish’s book I Shall Not Hate:
“This story is a necessary lesson against hatred and revenge.”
Turning trauma into opportunity, Dr. Abuelaish started Daughters for Life Foundation in their memory. The foundation gives scholarships to young Middle Eastern women. He is dedicated to healing hatred and educating young women and believes women are a key to transforming and healing the Middle East.
He currently lives in Toronto where he is a full professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He holds twenty honorary doctorates and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
A Spoken Word Workshop with Jess Mahogany
Feb. 19 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom
Jess Mahogany brings magnificent and eye-opening, real-life struggles to life with her words. She will perform several of her powerful pieces and inspire participants to express their stories through the spoken word. The performance and workshop will explore the theme of “intersectionality” among identity, history, politics, spirituality, gender, class and race.
Contact: Arturo Chavez, Mission & Ministry – Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Email: aechavez@uiwtx.edu
Black Out for Black History Game, Lamar vs UIW
Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m.
McDermott Convocation Center
Come out and support the UIW Basketball team as they take on Lamar University! UIW players and coaches will be dressed in black in observance of the Black Out for Black History and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for UIW Athletics during the celebration of Black History Month.
Game attendees are encouraged to wear black in solidarity with the UIW community in its ongoing pursuit to support racial justice, diversity and equality for all.
Contact: Kenyon Spears, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Email: kdspears@uiwtx.edu
“Cygne Noir” Runway Show
Feb 21 | 6:30-8 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom
A striking runway show that blends elegance and edge, Cygne Noir draws inspiration from Black Swan, Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, and personal journeys. Exploring themes of transformation, identity, and unpredictability, this show celebrates creativity and resilience through bold, couture-inspired designs.
Contact: Dan Williams and As One We Will (AOWW) Student Organization
Email: dawilli6@student.uiwtx.edu
Black Out for Black History Game, Lamar vs UIW
Feb. 24 | 6:30 p.m.
McDermott Convocation Center
Come out and support the UIW Basketball team as they take on Lamar University! UIW players and coaches will be dressed in black in observance of the Black Out for Black History and the Equality and Inclusion initiatives, two campaigns that go hand-in-hand for UIW Athletics during the celebration of Black History Month.
Game attendees are encouraged to wear black in solidarity with the UIW community in its ongoing pursuit to support racial justice, diversity and equality for all.
Contact: Kenyon Spears, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Email: kdspears@uiwtx.edu
UIW African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show
Feb. 27 | 6-8 p.m.
Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom
Experience fashion, music, art and gifts from the African continent and African Caribbean cultures. This event is open to the public and free to all UIW community members with a UIW ID. Special thanks to community organizer Nichelle Hosley of Interior Design Meets Fashion.
Hosted by the African Student Organization, Ettling Center for Civic Leadership, and International Student and Scholar Services
Contact: Sheena Connell, International Office
Email: sconnell@uiwtx.edu