| | | Diversity and Inclusion | | RSVP Now for the 2021 Black History Month Events |
|
|
|  |
| |
| Colleagues,
February marks Black History Month in the U.S. and Canada. It is a time that we recognize the culture, contributions, challenges and successes of those of African descent.
This year the African Ancestry Network (AAN) is celebrating Black History Month with the theme “Representing Our Past, Celebrating our Present Identity and Taking Action Toward a More Just and Equal Future.” There will be celebrations hosted by both the local chapters and national AAN chapter as a whole.
Please visit the RSG Black History Month site or check the ERG calendar of events to see them as they are added.
Black History Month Flashcard Project
Various Dates; AAN National
You can use your Cares time during the month of February to help students learn about the accomplishments and contributions Black people have made to education, science, technology, human rights, civics and more. Volunteers will create digital flashcards for Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida, Inc. This nonprofit informs, educates and helps homeschooling families in the Central Florida area and around the United States. Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida, Inc. executes their mission by providing classes, guest speakers in career fields, field trips, hosting an annual graduation/awards ceremony, a lending library, informative communications, support, motivation, family to family connections and connections to other support groups.
To volunteer, please register for one of the sessions (volunteer time is an hour):
If you have questions, please contact Monica Garrett.
AAN Happy Hour Series: Black History Month Trivia Contest
Today, Feb. 1, 4 pm EST; AAN D.C.
How much do you know about African American leaders and events?
Test your knowledge of Black history in a friendly competition with your colleagues. Prizes will be awarded to the winners!
 | Vaccines in the Black Community with Dr. Sade Brown
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 3-4 pm EST; Elsevier’s AAN & EMBRACE
Dr. Sade R. Brown is a chemist and organic/polymer scientist specializing in commodity polyolefins, polyesters, pulp and paper/forest products and many other areas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (American Chemistry Society Certification) from Winston-Salem State University, a Master of Science in Chemistry (Biochemistry) from North Carolina Central University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organic Chemistry, with a graduate minor in Polymer Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University.
Dr. Brown has provided consulting services to the chemical and allied industries. She also led research studies on the effects of organic contaminants (OCs) in local surface water, primarily in African American neighborhoods, in the context of understanding health disparities in a cohort with the EPA.
 | “Just Mercy” Watch Party
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 11 am to 1 pm EST; AAN National
Join us for a virtual watch party as we watch the film, “Just Mercy.” Michael B. Jordan and Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson star in this inspiring drama that brings one of the most important stories of our time to the big screen.
“Just Mercy” is based on the powerful and thought-provoking true story of young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Larson). One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the main testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. Movie Trailer: https://www.justmercyfilm.com/#trailer
To be a part of this watch party, you must RSVP to be invited to this event.
 | AAN Happy Hour Series: Democracy: Black Peoples Gift to America featuring Professor John H. Bracey Jr.
Monday, Feb. 8, 4 pm EST; AAN D.C.
Black Americans have been, and continue to be foundational to the idea of American freedom and democracy. Professor Bracey will discuss the role of Black Americans in the pursuit of a nation as good as its promise.
Professor John H. Bracey, Jr. is with the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies for the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
 | Brave New Voices with Daniel Blackman
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 11:30 am to 1 pm EST; AAN Atlanta
Daniel Blackman is a respected human rights and climate advocate, policymaker, and venture-philanthropist who has committed his life to resource equity and political empowerment with the hope of uplifting and revitalizing America’s most vulnerable communities. For over two decades, Daniel has given voice to the unseen, unheard and unengaged communities left out of the dialogues surrounding the world’s biggest challenges.
Blackman was the 2020 democratic nominee for the Georgia Public Service Commission where he garnered more votes than any African American in Georgia history. In 2016, he became the first person of color to run for office in Forsyth County, Georgia, and played a pivotal role in memorializing a documented victim of racial violence in Forsyth, by working with the Equal Justice Initiative and community leaders on a historical marker which acknowledges lynching history. He continues to be a leading voice on meaningful dialogue about race and justice.
 | A View of Social Justice through African American Lenses in 2021 featuring
Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors; President of the Evanston, Illinois NAACP
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1-2 pm CST/2-3 pm EST; AAN Chicago
Michael C. R. Nabors is senior pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church in Evanston, Illinois. The 137-year-old church is one of the oldest African American congregations on the North Shore.
He is currently president of the Evanston-North Shore Branch of the NAACP and also served as president of the Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey branches.
|
|
Soundtrack of our History
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 3-4 pm EST; Elsevier’s AAN & EMBRACE
We are excited to offer an event we are sure will bring you joy and nostalgia as we take a walk down memory lane with some of the most prominent songs of our history.
In this game inspired by the popular Fox show Shazam!, you will have the opportunity to guess the name of these timeless songs before your colleagues steal the point. We hope to see you there!
 | Book Club: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, led by Joanne Henderson
Wednesday, Feb. 10, Noon to 1 pm EST; AAN National
“Just Mercy,” by Bryan Stevenson is a #1 New York Times Bestseller. It's an unforgettable true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to end mass incarceration in America—from one of the most inspiring lawyers of our time.
“Just Mercy” tells the story of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) from the early days with a small staff facing the nation’s highest death sentencing and execution rates, through a successful campaign to challenge the cruel practice of sentencing children to die in prison, to revolutionary projects designed to confront Americans with our history of racial injustice. One of EJI’s first clients was Walter McMillian, a young Black man who was sentenced to die for the murder of a young white woman that he didn’t commit. The case exemplifies how the death penalty in America is a direct descendant of lynching — a system that treats the rich and guilty better than the poor and innocent.
To purchase the book visit https://justmercy.eji.org/.
Free resources via Percipio:
It’s Not Regular featuring Jahmal Cole
Thursday, Feb. 11, 3:30-4:30 pm CST; AAN Chicago
Brought to us by Jahmal Cole author and community activist. Jahmal is a champion of social justice and the founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City.
My Block, My Hood, My City is an on-the-ground partner with schools and districts focused on ensuring all students graduate from high school and are equipped for college and career success. Our Explorers program takes teenagers from schools in low social economic status neighborhoods on educational explorations. They receive a first-hand glimpse into different cultures and careers, people and businesses. The mission is to boost educational attainment in these students, in spite of the poverty and isolation they face.
 | Confronting America's History of Racial Injustice featuring Jacqueline Jones-Pearce from the Equal Justice Initiative
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST; AAN Raleigh
Jacqueline Jones-Pearce, the Senior Attorney, Director of Development at the Equal Justice Initiative, will facilitate a lunch and learn session. The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a non-profit human rights organization fighting for criminal justice reform, racial equality and basic rights and dignity for poor and marginalized communities.
Jacqueline Jones-Peace was on the faculty at New York University School of Law as Co-Associate Director of the Lawyering Program. Prior to that, she was a Litigation Associate at Cleary Gottlieb in New York for several years after clerking for U.S. District Judge John S. Martin in the Southern District of New York. She is a 1995 graduate of New York University School of Law.
 | Can We Talk for a Minute? A Discussion of the Black Community’s Most Pressing Topics
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 3-4 pm EST; Elsevier’s AAN & EMBRACE
Join us for what is sure to be an empowering event where we raise questions, propose answers and build relationships while diving into the topics of health, civil rights and social justice movements and education.
We will be facilitating breakout rooms from the main virtual gathering to encourage more intimate and candid conversation.
 | Behind the Scenes with Christa Gatewood, Hollywood Screenwriter
Wednesday, Feb. 17, noon to 1 pm EST; AAN National
Ms. Gatewood will share with us her experience being Black and working on the Hollywood scene, and her perspective on the industry as a whole. Christa Gatewood attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. where she earned a B.S. in Radio/Television/Film. Following graduation, Christa worked for several years in film and television production in Los Angeles before pursuing freelance writing opportunities, relocating multiple times and becoming a mother.
She is currently writing a feature film with Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show), that is being developed by Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther, Just Mercy) and Alana Mayo.
 | Microagressions and Transgenerational Trauma Impact on Mental Health in the Workplace
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 3 to 4:30 pm EST; AAN NY
NYC Wellness and AAN ERGs are happy to present a joint event during Black History Month 2021!
Please join us in a discussion with Joy Stephens and Kaity Rodriguez around microagressions and transgenerational trauma and working through this in the workplace.
Truths, Myths and Misconceptions: Life Insurance and Everything you need to Know featuring Donnamarie Blake and Scott Rhinehart
Thursday, Feb. 18, 11:30 am to 1 pm EST; AAN Atlanta
Donnamarie Blake and Scott Rhinehart are Senior Vertical Market Managers in the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Insurance Business Unit. Together they will cover everything you need know to about life insurance. This includes what to purchase, different types of insurance, financial benefits, and protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Bonus AAN Happy Hour Series: The Face of Racism Outside of the United States
Friday, Feb. 19, noon EST; AAN D.C.
Systemic racism is not just an American problem.
Join the leaders of the BAME and Embrace ERGs for a discussion of how racism manifests itself outside of the U.S., including challenges faced by RELX’s ERGs and how they provide employees with meaningful support and engagement.
AAN Happy Hour Series: Chocolate City
Monday, Feb. 22, 4 pm EST; AAN D.C.
Abraham DeBose Jr., a historian and tour guide with over 30 years of experience and a third-generation Washingtonian, will guide us on a Black history tour of the city that was once know as "Chocolate City.”
 | A Culinary Experience with Wellington O.
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST; AAN Atlanta
Actively participate in our virtual cooking class. You have the option of purchasing the list of ingredients and cooking alongside Chef Wellington Onyennwe or you can simply tune in and observe as he prepares a delicious dish that celebrates Black History Month.
Wellington Onyenwe continues to rise as a chef visionary and sensation across Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area and most recently Atlanta. A graduate of Molecular Toxicology and Food Additives at the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Onyenwe literally knows food down to the molecule. Under apprenticeship of many culinary experts, including Chef Thomas Schaefer, renowned German chef, he has honed his skills to create delectable culinary cuisines that satisfy the hearts and stomachs of those he delightedly serves. Specializing in Italian, North American, West African and French cuisine, his unique approach allows for liberating creativity as he combines multiple culinary cultures into a spectacular experience!
 | Black History Quizzo on Kahoot!
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 3-4 pm EST; Elsevier’s AAN & EMBRACE
Rounding out the month, we are hosting a Black History themed Quizzo event!
This is an opportunity to join in friendly competition with colleagues and learn interesting facts about black history. This year’s Quizzo will be hosted on Kahoot!
 | Just Monroeville: The Personal Story of Monroeville, Alabama’s New Black mayor, the City that is the Backdrop for the Film, “Just Mercy”
Wednesday, Feb. 24, Noon to 1 pm EST; AAN National
In this panel session we will feature the personal story of Winford Williams’ family and their connection to Monroeville, Ala., the city that is the backdrop for the film, “Just Mercy.”
The panel will include Mayor Charles Andrews, the first Black mayor of Monroeville, Paralee Broughton, educator, writer and long time resident of Monroeville and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Group colleague and long-time AAN member Winford Williams. This panel will be moderated by AAN – Greater Atlanta Chapter President Monica Garrett.
 | Podcast Kahoot!! and Cooking with AAN
Friday, Feb. 26, 3 to 4:30 pm EST; AAN NY
Join us in wrapping up our podcast series with a Khoot Trivia event. Listen to the Black History Month podcasts throughout the month to help win. We will have three winners with gift cards at the end!
After that, please stay on and cook with us. We will be making buttermilk biscuits and salmon croquettes.
Beyond Surviving: Charting a Course to Thrive in the Workplace
Thursday, March 4, 11:30 am to 1 pm; AAN Atlanta
Map your professional journey using your gifts, contributions and vision for the future. You will have the opportunity to reflect on personal experiences, learn practical strategies to apply a vision mapping framework, and strengthen your sense of agency to direct their growth and development.
This presenter is Laura Knights, founder and CEO of Knights Consulting. Knights Consulting is a leadership and team development company. Through training, coaching and program development consulting we help organizations create more competent, confident leaders and high performing teams.
| | | | |
|
| | |
|
