Black History Month is a time to honor the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout our history. The UMSON Office of Strategic Engagement and Impact (SEI) recognizes the importance of this month as an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Black leaders, educators, health professionals, and advocates who have paved the way for progress in education, health care, and society. By embracing the lessons of the past as a guiding light for the future, we continue to strengthen our commitment to working In UniSON: Together We Commit, Together We Act.
Join us for these opportunities to connect with each other at UMSON; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the broader Baltimore community.
Booked for Lunch: "Half of a Yellow Sun"
Thursday, Feb. 19, noon - 1 p.m.
Room 211/Hybrid
Join the Booked for Lunch club for a special meeting in which we will discuss Dean Ogbolu’s book selection, "Half of a Yellow Sun," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, class, race, ethnicity, and the enduring power of the human spirit against the backdrop of political turmoil and violence in 1960s Nigeria. Lunch will be served for in-person attendees, and a limited number of copies are available. Contact enew@umaryland.edu to inquire about availability.
The Gathering - For Faculty and Staff Only
Monday, Feb. 23, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Southern Management Corporation Campus Center Elm Ballroom
The Gathering is the Office of SEI's inaugural summit, designed to create a welcoming and inclusive space where faculty and staff can come together to feel connected, valued, and renewed. Inspired by the warmth of a family gathering and the nourishment of shared meals and fellowship, the summit invites participants to engage in facilitated conversations; interactive activities; and a panel discussion featuring faculty, staff, and student voices reflecting on shared experiences and community within the School. Together, these experiences bring our core values to life and explore how they can move beyond guiding principles to become everyday practices that strengthen trust, enhance collaboration, and foster a deeper sense of belonging and collective purpose.
UMSON African Student Nurses Association/Black Student Nurses Association Black History Month Social
Thursday, Feb. 26, noon - 1 p.m., 2nd Floor Museum Lobby
Join us for a student networking event celebrating Black History Month and its many contributions to health care. This is a great opportunity to foster cultural awareness, build community connections, and engage with peers across multiple student organizations. We look forward to seeing you there! All students are welcome to attend.
UMB's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month Celebration
Thursday, Feb. 5, noon - 1:30 p.m.
Medical School Teaching Facility, Leadership Hall, 685 W. Baltimore St.
Chris T. Pernell, MD, MPH, FACPM, a visionary physician leader and champion for health equity, will be the keynote speaker at UMB’s 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month Celebration. She is the director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, fellow and regent-at-large at the American College of Preventive Medicine, clinical assistant professor for the Department of Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and the founder and CEO of The Esther Group.
Voices in Solidarity: Baltimore’s Black and Jewish Operatic History | Roots and Resonance: An Operatic Love Letter to Baltimore
Saturday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore Black History Month Parade
Monday, Feb. 16, noon
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, from Eutaw to Baltimore streets