Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 5 for seven awards that will be presented at the K. Leroy Irvis Black History Month Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb 26 in the Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall.
The awards honor faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members who champion diversity, equity and inclusion at Pitt and beyond.
Find a full list of the awards and criteria here, along with a link to the nomination form.
For nomination or celebration inquiries, contact the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at diversty@pitt.edu or 412-648-7860.
Tickets to the annual celebration are free, but an RSVP is requested. It is just one event during Black History Month at Pitt. Others include:
Black History Month Kickoff, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb 3, Lower Lounge, William Pitt Union. The event sponsored by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Division of Student Affairs kicks off Black History Month 2025, with the theme "African Americans and Labor," a reflection on the pivotal role that the hard work of African Americans have played in shaping our country's history. RSVP
Film Screening and Q&A: “Welcome II the Terrordome,” 6-9 p.m. Feb. 3, Frick Fine Arts Building, Auditorium. Filmmaker Ngozi Onwurah will discuss “Welcome II the Terrordome,” a 1995 Afrofuturist film exploring themes around the history of slavery to present-day police brutality.
Faces of Diversity: Exploring the Black Diaspora, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 12, Lower Lounge, William Pitt Union. The Black diaspora encompasses a wide range of experiences and identities, and this program will serve as a unique opportunity for all students to broaden their understanding and appreciation of these diverse cultures. By focusing on food, music and storytelling, the Office of Inclusion and Belonging aims to create a dynamic, interactive experience that highlights the shared history and unique contributions of African American, African, Caribbean, Latin American, and other Black communities.
“Mal Goode Reporting“ Reception, 4-6 p.m. Feb. 13, O'Hara Student Center dining room. Join authors Liann Tsoukas and Rob Ruck as they discuss their new book, "Mal Goode Reporting: The Life and Work of a Black Broadcast Trailblazer," available from Pitt Press. The grandson of freed slaves, Goode grew up in Homestead, Pa., and put himself through the University of Pittsburgh working in the local steel mill. As a community leader, Goode (A&S, ’31) spearheaded the fight to integrate Pittsburgh’s YMCAs and championed affordable housing across the city. Then, he changed careers to become a crusading newspaper reporter and radio newscaster, exposing corruption and police brutality and championing Black voices in public life. RSVP
Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Exhibition, Opening and Awards Reception, 6-9 p.m. Feb 20, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., downtown Pittsburgh. The collaborative art competition was launched in June 2023 by Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, and in community partnership with 1Hood Media and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. RSVP
Open Mic Night: Black History Month, 8-10 p.m. Feb. 20, The Understory (B-50), Cathedral of Learning. For this special Black History Month open mic, the Center for Creativity is partnering with the Black Action Society to celebrate the work and raise up the voices of Black creators. All Pitt students, faculty, and staff and all performance-based genres are welcome: original music or covers; poetry, storytelling, and spoken word; dance, skits or monologues. Performance slots are limited; registration welcome but not required.
Check the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website for more events.