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Three students speak with Richard A. Robinson during the Black History Month event.

Diversity and Inclusion Celebrations

Black History Month

February gives our Bobcat family the opportunity to celebrate the rich history and diverse contributions of the Black American community — while reminding us all how important it is to embrace diversity and inclusivity throughout the year.

The university marked the 2024 Black History Month with a rich array of events — including two events in our Critical Conversations series; a Sip & Shop event that connected minority-owned businesses in the area with members of our university community; and a variety of student-led events, including film screenings, a trivia game show event and a multicultural pre-career fair mixer.

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Our Community in Action

Over the years, we have honored the stories of Black Americans near and far who have led change with courage and a far-reaching vision to lift the lives of members of their community, achieved success in their chosen field — despite barriers — and brought social justice to all corners of society.

Notable personalities and thought leaders — from Michele Norris of NPR, to film director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee, to a poignant hip hop performance, to a conversation about racial profiling with community leaders — have helped us lead important conversations.

Quinnipiac Critical Conversations keynote speakers hold microphones and talking to the audience
2024 - Quinnipiac hosted an addition to the Critical Conversations Speaker Series, featuring the Leading Edge Coaches on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
A singer, guitarist, keyboardist and drummer perform on stage at On the Rocks
2023 - Quinnipiac hosted the Quinnipiac University MLK Dream Award and Black History Month Jam Session celebration at On the Rocks in the Rocky Top Student Center on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Award recipients smile together and hold up their Quinnipiac MLK Dream awards
2023 - Quinnipiac hosted the Quinnipiac University MLK Dream Award and Black History Month Jam Session celebration at On the Rocks in the Rocky Top Student Center on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The recipients of the inaugural award included Marilyn Ford, professor of law; William Jellison, professor of psychology and women's & gender studies; Khalilah Brown-Dean, associate provost for faculty affairs; Emily Diaz ’24; and Mercy Quaye ’13, MS ’18.
A presenter speaks into a microphone in front of people seated in the Piazza in the student center
2023 - Speakers at the Black History Teach-In spoke to students and faculty about the health and wellness of Black People and African Americans, from health disparities, racism in health care, historical contributions to the medical field, mental health and the activism and initiatives created for Black communities to live well. The event was held in the Piazza on February 9, 2023.
Adriane Jefferson speaks with a mask at a podium during a Black History Month event at Quinnipiac
2022 - Adriane Jefferson, director of the Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs for the City of New Haven, gives a lecture Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in the Mount Carmel Auditorium.
A singer and three musicians perform on the On the Rocks stage
2022 - Musicians perform at the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement's Black History Month Jam Session in the On the Rocks Pub and Grill on February 18, 2022.
Christina Dickerson speaks with a mask at a podium during a Black History Month event at Quinnipiac
2022 - Christina Dickerson, PhD, assistant professor of history and author of "Black Indians and Freedmen," speaks for a Black History Month lecture in the Mount Carmel Auditorium on February 28, 2022.
Richard Robinson and Don Sawyer talk together while sitting in armchairs on stage.
2020 - Richard A. Robinson, chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court and top administrator of the state judicial branch, delivered remarks at the Black History Month 2020 Keynote Event: Legacies of Black Excellence. The event was designed to highlight the historic outstanding achievements of Black Americans nationally and locally, as well as showcase the rich culture and history with traditional and present-day food traditions. A buffet dinner and jazz music set the tone for a celebratory event.
Richard Edmond-Vargas performs with a keyboard in front of an audience.
2019 - Richard Edmond-Vargas, co-founder of Initiate Justice, presented “Cops, Gangstas, D.A.s and Thugs Share a Common Ancestor: Patriarchy.”
Bettina Love speaks at a podium during the Black History Month keynote event.
2019 - University of Georgia professor Bettina Love, PhD, presents her talk “Get Free: Hip-Hop Education, Civics, and Social Justice.”
Danny Glover speaks with a handful of Quinnipiac students.
2018 - Students and faculty meet with actor and activist Danny Glover at a reception before his talk, “From Abolition to #BLM.”
Danny Glover and Khalilah Brown-Dean speak on stage in front of an audience.
2018 - Actor and activist Danny Glover and Khalilah Brown-Dean, associate professor of political science, discuss “From Abolition to #BLM.”
Margot Lee Shetterly speaks at a podium in front of a full audience.
2017 - “Hidden Figures” author Margot Lee Shetterly discusses how black women used math to advance America during her lecture.
Margot Lee Shetterly smiles for a photo with several Quinnipiac students.
2017 - Quinnipiac students, from left, Makala Holman, Luna Charles, Chizoma Chima, Zara Khan and Brittany Hayles, meet “Hidden Figures” author Margot Lee Shetterly, center, during a reception before her lecture.
Marc Lamont Hill speaks at a podium during the Black History Month keynote event.
2016 - Marc Lamont Hill, then the host of BET News and a political contributor for CNN, delivers the Black History Month address.
Marc Lamont Hill speaks to a handful of guests during a reception.
2016 - Marc Lamont Hill, then the host of BET News and a political contributor for CNN, discusses diversity in education with a group of Quinnipiac students.
A panel of guests sit at the front of the room in arm chairs having a discussion
2015 - Liberty and Justice for All: Exploring Racial Profiling: The panel discussion explored the topic of racial profiling. From left, panelists included the Rev. Kennedy D. Hampton Sr., of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in New Haven; Tanya Hughes, executive director of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; Don C. Sawyer III, then assistant professor of sociology at Quinnipiac; and Lt. J. Paul Vance, then Connecticut State Police public information officer. Keith Kountz, a reporter for WTNH-TV, moderated the event.
Michele Norris speaks at a podium during Quinnipiac's annual Black History Month keynote event.
2014 - Michele Norris, National Public Radio host and special correspondent, presents Quinnipiac’s annual Black History Month lecture, “Eavesdropping on America’s Conversation on Race.”
A person in the audience poses a question to Michele Norris while the audience looks on.
2014 - Ian Jackson ’14, MBA '15, asks a question of Michele Norris, National Public Radio host and special correspondent. Norris, National Public Radio host and special correspondent, presented Quinnipiac’s annual Black History Month lecture, “Eavesdropping on America’s Conversation on Race.”
Two performers how emotion during a presentation on stage.
2013 - The First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community performs at Quinnipiac. The First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts, spoken word and hip-hop culture.
Three performers present on stage
2013 - The First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community performs at Quinnipiac. The First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts, spoken word and hip-hop culture.
Hip hop performers on stage during Quinnipiac's Black History Month event.
2013 - The First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community performs at Quinnipiac. The First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts, spoken word and hip-hop culture.
Bernard Lafayette and Andrew Young speak with Ed Gordon on stage
2012 - Civil rights activists Bernard Lafayette and Ambassador Andrew Young, original Freedom Riders, discussed their faith and the role it played in their efforts to end segregation. Here, Lafayette and Young speak with Ed Gordon, right, host of “Weekly With Ed Gordon” on Black Entertainment Television, during the event.
Spike Lee speaks with Quinnipiac students during a Black History Month event
2011 - American film director, producer, writer, and actor, Spike Lee’s films have examined race relations, colorism in the black community, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty and other political issues. Lee met with students before providing the keynote address during Black History Month at Quinnipiac.
Spike Lee speaks in front of a Quinnipiac sign during a black history month event
2011 - American film director, producer, writer, and actor, Spike Lee’s films have examined race relations, colorism in the black community, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty and other political issues. Lee provided the keynote address during Black History Month at Quinnipiac.

Diversity and Inclusion at Quinnipiac

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