Friends,
This year's theme for Black History Month, "Black Resistance," explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms, especially the racial violence of lynchings and police killings since the nation's earliest days. Even today, with the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols still on our minds, the meaning of Black Resistance has never rung truer, and never felt so urgent.
We at Association House acknowledge the historic harms that have been leveled upon Black individuals and households, but also the beauty and resilience of Chicago's Black communities. Indeed, the Association House pillars of Resilience, Resistance and Reimagination compel us to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our society, to our communities and to Association House. To that end, the DEI Committee has compiled a series of activities for the month focused on Black Resistance based on historic and lived experiences.
This will include a wall of notable Black figures and achievements that will be featured in the main building just outside the lobby elevators. The DEI Committee has also compiled an Index of Black-owned businesses and will be awarding gift cards from select businesses through BHM trivia questions. This month and every month, we celebrate the contributions of Black Americans and stand in resistance with our Black communities.
Sincerely,
The DEI Committee
Henry Herrera
Kristy Kolzow
Jemina Lyle
Juan Carlos Linares
Nicole Reed
Yvonne Rodriguez
Colleen Wieczorek
Drew Williams