At St. James’, we seek to honor our heritage and Black history all year round, but we do some special things during Black History Month. It is a pleasure to partner with the Seminary of the Southwest in many of these events.
Saturday, February 1, 11:30 am – 1 pm: St. James’ Reads Book Group
Join us in Founders Hall as we explore Howard Thurman‘s book, Meditations of the Heart. Even if you have not finished the book, we would love for you to join us for the conversation.
Jubilee Celebration and Dinner at the Seminary of the Southwest
Friday, February 7, 2025
6pm: Worship in Christ Chapel, featuring Rev. Dr. Dominique Robinson, preaching
7pm: Jubilee Celebration in the Weeks Center
Join the community of Southwest for a worship experience and kickback highlighting and honoring Black culture. Attendees are invited to wear red, and those of African ancestry are asked to wear heritage attire. Though not the first day of the month, this celebration marks the beginning of a joyous celebration of Black History Month on the campus of Seminary of the Southwest. Our Assistant Professor of Preaching, the Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson will preach. After the service, attendees will enjoy a community meal of heavy hors d’oeuvres with music, games, and cultural expression.
Celebration of Absalom Jones and Bishop Barbara Harris
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Be at St. James’ for Church on this day, as we celebrate the lives and legacies of Absalom Jones and Bishop Barbara Harris. Our guest preacher at 8 am, 10:30 am, and 5 pm is Dr. Marlon Johnson, Dean of Community Life and Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the Seminary of the Southwest. Find more information about Absalom Jones here. Find out more about Bishop Barbara Harris here.
Who We Are Workshop
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:30 am-3:00 pm
At St. David’s Episcopal Church
If you have not yet participated in a One Human Race workshop, here is a great opportunity. The new Who We Are Workshop will give you a chance to:
- View Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
- Share thoughts and feelings
- Discuss local issues
- Make connections and brainstorm ideas for action
Celebrate Black Austin – East Austin Walking Tour
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Join the seminary community, and the St. James’ Youth and 20s & 30s, in celebrating Austin’s rich Black History. The event will kickoff with a walking tour of East Austin. This tour will highlight landmarks of historic significance and amplify the voices and stories of those from the community. Following the tour will be opportunities to shop with local Black-owned businesses at the Black Makers Market at the African-American Cultural Heritage Center.
Black History Month Keynote Address by Cole Arthur Riley at the Seminary of the Southwest
Monday, February 24, 2025
6:45pm in Knapp Auditorium
Please join us for the BHM Keynote Address featuring Cole Arthur Riley. A reception and book signing will follow.
The lecture will begin at 6:45pm and will be live-streamed at the ssw.edu website, and the Southwest Facebook page.
Cole Arthur Riley is a writer and poet. She is the NYT bestselling author of This Here Flesh and Black Liturgies. Her writing has been featured in The Atlantic, Guernica, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post.
Cole is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator.
