Black History Month
Black Legacy- 100th Year Celebration
February 9th-13th
Event Name: Storytime w/milk & cookies
Event Description: Join us in the Parent Learning Center for a storybook reading while enjoying milk and cookies.
Event Host: Marieb Adult Learning Center
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 10:00am
Location: Parent Learning Center, Frost 269
Event Name: Closing the Educational Achievement Gap
Event Description: Join us for a presentation with Vilenti Tulloch, M. Ed while we discuss the specific ways to build authentic relationships and examine the barriers that often interfere with student success, including microaggressions and unconscious bias.
Event Host: ALANA Men in Motion & Black Leadership Council
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 11:00-12:15
Location: The Learning Collaborative, Frost 265
Speaker Bio: Vilenti Tulloch is an award-winning community leader, recognized for his dedication to service with accolades that include an NAACP Community Service Award and several other honors throughout Western Massachusetts. He serves as the CEO of the Academic Leadership Association (ALA), a school-based mentoring and leadership program whose mission is to empower youth to make positive changes within themselves and their school communities through mentoring, leadership development, and advocacy. In this role, Vilenti oversees mentor training, leads school-based mentoring initiatives, and provides professional development to multiple school districts across Western Massachusetts.
In addition to his role at ALA, Vilenti is the Co-Founder of the Academic Leadership Association of Greater Springfield, a non-profit organization offering free summer enrichment camps, after-school programming, and community-engaging field trips for youth in the middle school empowerment zones of the Greater Springfield area.
Vilenti also serves as the President of The Forum, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of Black and Brown male educators in K-12 schools in Western Massachusetts to improve student outcomes, especially for underserved populations.
https://www.academicleadershipassociation.com/
Additional off-campus events:
Black Love, No Filter: Communication, Boundaries & Joy
Friday, Feb 13, 6–8 PM (Online)
Explore the history and cultural evolution of love and relationships within Black communities.
Register here: https://www.seiu-uhw.org/black-history-month-2026-events/ (external event)
February 16th-20th
Event Name: Harambee Celebration
Event Description: Join us for a vibrant and exciting Harambee Celebration event, where we come together to celebrate culture, community, and unity! This lively gathering will feature delicious food, soulful music, and an open mic session for everyone to share their talents.
Host: Student Engagement and Black Student Alliance
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 11:00-12:15
Location: Campus Center Cafeteria
Event Name: Moonlight Movie Screening
Movie Description: A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
Host: ALANA Men in Motion, El Centro & SAMP
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: Kittredge 301 (KC 301)
Additional off-campus events:
Fireside Chat — Black Political Power
Tuesday, Feb 17, 6–8 PM (Virtual)
Meaningful dialogue about current political landscapes and community leadership.
Register here: https://www.seiu-uhw.org/black-history-month-2026-events/ (external event)
February 23rd-27th
Event Name: Storytime w/milk & cookies
Event Description: Join us in the Parent Learning Center for a storybook reading while enjoying milk and cookies.
Event Host: Marieb Adult Learning Center
Day: Wednesday, February 23, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Parent Learning Center, Frost 269
Event Name: Cuts, Confidence, & College - On Campus Barbershop
Event Description: Professional on-campus haircuts paired with honest dialogue to help students show up prepared, empowered, and confident.
Host: ALANA Men in Motion
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: The Fort (Frost 233)
Student Interest Form: https://forms.gle/FGKZsvEGD4oDtQEr8
Event Name: Lift Our Voice
Event Description: Join us for a presentation with Vanessa Ford while she discusses defining ourselves and owning our stories
Host: Black Leadership Council
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 11:00-12:15
Location: TBD
Speaker Bio: Vanessa V. Ford, vocalist, composer, and arts leader is a dynamic performer whose career spans music, public service, and community health. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, she proudly represents her African American, Colombian, Panamanian, and Costa Rican heritage, which has shaped her commitment to cultural inclusivity and service.
From an early age, Vanessa’s musical gifts opened doors to perform at national and local events, including military promotions, political ceremonies, and community celebrations. She has sung for Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and the City of Springfield at Mayor Domenic Sarno’s inaugurations, remembrance ceremonies, and major civic events. Her original music, including Great Jehovah and Stronger Together, reflects her faith and dedication to uplifting others. She also serves as founding director of the Springfield CommUnity Chorale, uniting singers and musicians from all backgrounds to celebrate diversity through music.
Vanessa’s leadership extends beyond performance. She is a faculty member at the Community Music School of Springfield and the founding director of the Director of Trust Transfer Project, a nationally recognized initiative that mobilizes artists to address public health through creative expression. Recognized by the CDC, the American Alliance of Museums, and the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the project has become a model for building vaccine confidence and community wellness through arts and culture. In 2023, she presented at the CDC Museum in Atlanta and delivered the keynote at the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Woven Conference.
Deeply rooted in civic engagement, Vanessa serves as board president of Blues to Green Inc. She is a member of The Planning Board of the city of Springfield and of Common Wealth Murals. She is a member of the Public Health Institute of Western MA Youth Mental Health Advisory Coalition and the New England Teaching Artist Collaborative Steering Group.
From 2012 to 2020, Vanessa served as Director of Operations for State Senator James T. Welch, managing the district office, constituent services, and community outreach. Her career reflects a lifelong mission: to use the power of music, culture, and advocacy to empower the vulnerable, amplify underrepresented voices, and bring hope and healing to her community.
Additional off-campus event:
Wealth On Lock — Virtual Financial Workshop
Tuesday, Feb 24, 6–7:30 PM (Online)
Learn strategies for financial growth, wealth building, and generational stability.
Register here: https://www.seiu-uhw.org/black-history-month-2026-events/ (external event)
