"How to Be a Better Ally", is a co-facilitated workshop series that focuses on various underrepresented and/or marginalized populations. The series aims to provide UMBC community members with the basic practices for allyship, specifically for the highlighted population.

For the Spring 2023 semester, the "How to Be a Better Ally" series has now expanded to include the following programs. These programs serve as a foundation for allyship under the intersectional identity areas. "How to Be a Better Ally" as a stand-alone program is a workshop to further participants' understanding of the targeted population. This workshop can be requested using the i3b workshop request link here.

FaithZone: Exploring Faith & Spirituality at UMBC

Thursday, February 23rd | 3:30 - 5:30pm

The Mosaic 2B23 The Commons

Monday, March 27th | 3:30 - 5:30pm

The Gathering Space 103 CWB

Join the conversation and exploration of religion, faith, and spirituality in this workshop at UMBC. This session will include a brief overview of the national landscape of religious practice and spirituality on college campuses, encourage storytelling and connection through the lived experience of participants, provide an opportunity to learn and discuss best practices, and introduce participants to resources and opportunities to engage further with this topic and the UMBC community.

Living into the Tension: Faith, Diversity, & Allyship

Wednesday, March 8^th | 4:00 – 5:00pm

The Mosaic 2B23 The Commons

In partnership with The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being, join the conversation and discuss the importance of being an ally during the intersections of race & ethnicity with religious & spiritual beliefs and identity. This workshop will further unpack the understanding of living at the intersections of religious, spiritual, and racial identities.

For further information and updates on our "How to Be a Better Ally" series, check our myUMBC page for additional information. 

Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, & Belonging join in honoring, celebrating, and bringing awareness to our Black and African American community. We recognize the incredible impact and influence on our history and country while also celebrating the culture, families, love, and service of all Black and African American folks. 

Per the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the 2023 theme for Black History Month is "Black Resistance". 

For more information about ASALH and the 2023 Black History Month theme, click here. 

Officially and nationally recognized as of 1976, Black History Month honors these great contributions while acknowledging all that has happened both past and present to the Black and African American community. The lives, culture, joy, and impact of Black history can be seen within all of our spaces and this celebration is not confined to only February but in special tribute. 

Throughout the month of February, join in our UMBC community in celebrating with events and programs. 

Buymaye Dance Workshop

February 2nd, 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Retrievers Activity Center Room 130

Sponsored by: the African Students Association 

Black Excellence Gala 

February 11th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm | The Commons Skylight 

Sponsored by: the Africana Council, Association of Black Artists, African Students Association, Black Student Union, Black Men's Society, Caribbean Students Association, National Society of Black Engineers, and The Lambda Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta National Sorority, Inc. 

Continue to check back for updates on programs and events. 

To further connect with our Black and Africana student organizations please check out https://my.umbc.edu/. 

Jan 31st - Breakfast Bar (Eggs, Bacon, French Toast & Homefries)
Feb 7th - Breakfast Sandwiches
Feb 14th - Overnight Oats Bar
Feb 21st - True Grits
Feb 28th- Einstein Bagels