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Feb. 22 talk by Ebone Bell on allyship a highlight of Monmouth College's Black History Month events

Monmouth, Ill. (02/01/2024) — A presentation by motivational speaker and trailblazer Ebone Bell will be one of the highlights of Monmouth College's Black History Month programming in February.

"The narrative of history is powerful," said Monmouth Dean for Equity and Well Being Michelle Merritt. "Black History Month allows us to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. Sharing stories not only helps us appreciate the impact individuals have had on shaping the world, but it helps us understand ways in which we can contribute to positive change."

Bell will speak at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium on the topic of "How to Be a Good Ally." Her talk is free and open to the public. For at least one member of the audience, it will not be their first time hearing Bell.

"Black History Month is about education, as well as understanding and support," said Monmouth Assistant Director of Campus Events Meredith McGary. "Ebone Bell is a speaker I have seen before, and she does an amazing job of meeting everyone where they are, using history to inspire action, and challenging everyone to do better. Being an ally, and specifically a good and intentional ally, is so important for our students, and for the world."

The message that audience members will hear, in part, concerns how they can show up as an ally, not only during social justice movements, but also in everyday life.

Bell is the founder and former editor of Tagg magazine, an award-winning print publication and media company dedicated to serving LGBTQ women across the nation. For her contributions, Forbes magazine featured her as an "Inspiring Black Entrepreneur Changing Our World," reflecting her commitment to creating meaningful change.

A dynamic leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion keynote speaker, Bell has delivered presentations at institutions such as Microsoft, Deloitte and Edward Jones and at universities including Kent State, Penn State and Rochester Institute of Technology.

Other February events

Other Black History Month events at Monmouth will include a Feb. 8 screening and discussion of the documentary film Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street. The 2021 film, which will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Pattee Auditorium on the lower level of the Center for Science and Business, follows the cultural renaissance in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, district, and investigates the Tulsa race massacre that occurred a century earlier.

A Monmouth College connection to the topic is 1991 graduate Ray Doswell, who serves as executive director of Greenwood Rising, an award-winning history center that tells the story of Tulsa's historic Greenwood District. Previously, Doswell had a similar role at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

On Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m., a Black History Month game night featuring food and prizes will be held in Mellinger Commons, which is also on the lower level of the Center for Science and Business.

Throughout the month of February, Hewes Library will have a special display of Black literature.

The sponsors for this year's Black History Month events include the Office of Equity and Well-Being, Raices, the Association for Student Activity Programming, the Chaplain's Office, the Champion Miller Center for Equity, Inclusion & Community, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Council.

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