Get Ready for an Evening of Women Empowerment!

On Friday, March 17th, Dr. Nikki Giovanni will speak at the culminating program of Mary Baldwin College for Women's first annual Women's Leadership Week, "A Renaissance Rent Party with Dr. Nikki Giovanni.” This event will emphasize women's leadership and empowerment through interdisciplinary interpretations of women and the Harlem Renaissance. The "rent party" aspect of this program is ideal for illustrating the collaborative nature of communities who band together to achieve common goals, and provides an appropriate medium through which to celebrate women's leadership, empowerment and joy by highlighting innovative and creative women from both history and our present.

The Harlem Renaissance was ripe with declarations of "new" Black identities that reflected emerging forms of activism and resistance to both racism and sexism. Sometimes without stating as bluntly as Zora Hurston did in her essay, "How it Feels to be Colored Me," Black women of the Harlem Renaissance challenged traditional assumptions of womanhood by daring to be their authentic selves. These bold acts not only disrupted traditions of anti-Blackness, they also challenged patriarchy to improve the lives of women globally. Black women like Lois Mailou Jones, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, and Josephine Baker serve as examples of women's leadership and empowerment. MBCW students will display influences of these women leaders through Harlem Renaissance inspired painting and performance in the Student Activities Center of Mary Baldwin University as it is transformed into a 1920s era brownstone to host our gathering. Dr. Nikki Giovanni, scholar of the Harlem Renaissance, is a master-teacher, mentor, mother and grandmother - her influence, which has enriched and empowered the lives of many, will create a desire for more innovation, agency and activism in all who hear. Dr. Giovanni is a recently retired professor of English, world renowned poet and recipient of a number of awards including the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, the American Book Award, the Langston Hughes Award, the Virginia Governor's Award for the Arts, the Emily Couric Leadership Award, seven-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award,  the recipient of 27 honorary degrees to name a few. We hope to see you there!

Sponsored by the Mary Baldwin College for Women, Black Student Alliance, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Spencer Center for Civic Engagement, Department of History, Art Department & Theatre Department. 

FAQ:

Where should we park?

• Attendees who are not part of the MBU community can park in the SAC lot, or the Sky I, Sky II or Sky II lots.  A campus map can be found here: https://marybaldwin.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/CampusMap-w-Key_black_and_white.pdf 

Is the Venue accesible?

• Yes - though the main entrance to the SAC requires stairs, there is a side entrance that will be open that does not. Our buffet for dinner will be up a short flight of stairs, but student hosts will be available to help those who need by taking their order to get them a plate. 

Are there dietary options for allergies or lifestyle?

• The menu for the evening will provide a vegetarian option.

What is the dress code for this event?

• If you are able to dress within the theme of 1920s style, it is greatly encouraged!  If not, do not worry.  We invite our community to "come as you are".

All other inquiries can be addressed to MBCW@marybaldwin.edu.