Throughout February, join MBU for an incredible slate of Black History Month programming with events for students, alumni, faculty and staff, and local community members.

This February, Mary Baldwin University (MBU) commemorates Black History Month with the theme The People Who Could Fly: Defying Gravity. Through a dynamic lineup of events, MBU invites the community to explore Black excellence, history, and creativity. A key feature of this celebration is the fourth annual Ida B. Wells Lecture, featuring acclaimed author and publisher Dara Beevas ‘02.
Time Traveling Blackness: Afrofuturism as a Portal to Our Future Selves
Dara Beevas, chief narrative officer at the African American Leadership Forum, will deliver Time Traveling Blackness: Afrofuturism as a Portal to Our Future Selves at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the James D. Francis Auditorium. It promises to be a transformative exploration of Black identity, creativity, and liberation.
Beevas describes Afrofuturism as both a framework for liberation and a tool for imagining the future: “What I love about Afrofuturism is that it’s a question. And that question is, ‘Who would you be if there were no barrier to your liberation? What would you write? How would you sing? What policy might you enact and how would you sound if you could sing aloud?’”
In her lecture, she will address how Afrofuturism empowers individuals to radically dream beyond current limitations and imagine a thriving future grounded in both ancestral wisdom and limitless possibility.
Her remarks will dive into the intersection of storytelling, culture, and resilience. Beevas reflects on the transformative power of storytelling, saying, “I’ve always loved how publishing fuels changemakers and storytellers. Now, as chief narrative officer, I get to not only amplify those voices, but also sit at the table with people in education and policy who can use those stories to create real change.”
Returning to MBU, where her journey as a storyteller began, holds deep significance for Beevas. “It feels divine to be coming back to Mary Baldwin. I’m starting a new chapter, but Mary Baldwin is the place where the whole book started — the life I’m living now began with my time here. MBU opened the Pandora’s box of what was within me. It taught me to never rest with just what I can do but to dream about what I must do.”
Through her lecture, Beevas will inspire attendees to explore Afrofuturism as a portal to infinite possibilities, connecting the wisdom of ancestors with the opportunities of today and tomorrow.
“There’s so much to glean from the past — from your ancestors, from the living room you grew up in, from the music in your grandma’s kitchen,” Beevas shared. “Afrofuturism is all about expansive dreaming and radical imagination. It helps us use those seeds to plant a future worthy of our brilliance.”
This event is free and open to the public and welcomes all storytellers, changemakers, and dreamers interested in attending.
Additional Black History Month Events at MBU
In addition to the Ida B. Wells Lecture, MBU’s Black History Month programming includes the following events that welcome the wider community:
- Black Stars Student Thesis and Internship Showcase (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Celebrate the accomplishments of MBU students as they present their innovative work.
- Black Business Fair (Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Student Activities Center): Highlighting local Black-owned businesses, this event offers an opportunity to engage with and support entrepreneurs.
- Broman Concert featuring Joseph Parrish, Bass-Baritone (Monday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Open to the public, this musical performance showcases the talents of Parrish, whose voice resonates with power and grace. Click here for more information and tickets are available online.
- Blackout Step and Dance Show (Saturday, March 15, 7 p.m., James D. Francis Auditorium): Featuring high-energy performances that celebrate rhythm, tradition, and community.
These events reflect the university’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, honoring Black achievements, and inviting everyone to join the celebration.For more information about Black History Month programming at MBU, contact Destiny Woodall at dwoodall@marybaldwin.edu.