The UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering’s fifth annual Celebration of African-American History and Culture took on a “family reunion vibe,” as students and faculty enjoyed food, games, music and history inspired by the African diaspora.
Brandi Salvant Carr, Senior Executive Assistant and member of the PME Committee on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, orchestrated the event to deeply engage participants in Black cultural traditions.
And what represents tradition more than food?
“Food represents family in so many cultures,” Carr said. “We chose our menu according to traditions that came from Africa but took a life of their own in the United States, particularly in the South.”
Students and faculty enjoyed the catfish, rib tips, mac & cheese and other traditional foods among displays featuring Chicago’s Black cultural and political heritage, ranging from Chicago Blues to leaders like former Mayor Harold Washington to UChicago’s history of Black students who have earned PhDs going back to Charles Henry Turner in 1907. In a side room, DJ Marbl spun R&B, jazz and hip-hop albums reflecting the Black experience beneath a slideshow of prominent Black trailblazers in STEM.
“What we don’t cover in tradition, we cover in education,” Carr said.
Second-year immunoengineering PhD student Michelle Bessiake described PME as a “welcoming community,” but said that a life in STEM, an arena in which Black people – particularly Black women – have been historically underrepresented, can feel isolating.
“Having an event like this makes you feel more at home and it makes you feel like PME cares about the experience of Black students,” said Bessiake, whose parents immigrated from the Ivory Coast and is the first in her family to go into academia.
Carr said this was one of the Celebration’s major goals.
“Events like this acknowledge that you are not ignored as well as acknowledging that you matter,” Carr said.
While Black students saw their experiences within the African diaspora celebrated, it was a learning opportunity for many students. First-year PhD student Luna Ramírez in the Ferguson Lab said she came to the event because she felt it important to recognize the contributions of the Black students and faculty, not only at PME but throughout the greater UChicago community.
“And the food is very good,” she added, laughing.
First-year materials PhD student Nathan Maslowski and self-described music afficionado gave him a few new starting points to look into Chicago’s history of House and jazz musicians.
“I want to check out the history and research a bit on my own,” he said.
Carr said this was one of the Celebration’s other major goals.
“One event for two hours isn’t necessarily going to change someone’s mindset, but it can be a step to learning more about the African-American communities and culture,” Carr said.
Learn more about PME’s Committee on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion