The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library (HPNL) invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza: Celebrating Black Futures
This series of events highlight the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
➢ March 2
David Wright Foladé, Professor of English, will read from his latest novel (now out in
paperback!) Black Cloud Rising at 4PM in Room 220 of Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive.
➢ March 3
Alexandra Barbier, Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Dance, whose work
centers African American vernacular dance forms, will present Stations of Black Loss – Work(s) in
Progress at 4PM in Room 220 of Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive.
➢ March 4 (Cancelled)
Courtney Becks, African American and Jewish Studies Librarian, will share a table reading of a
work in progress, her play The Socialization of Love, at 4PM in Room 422 of the Levis Center,
919 W. Illinois Street.
➢ March 6
Reiko Huffman, Assistant Professor of Scenic Design in the Department of Theatre, at 4PM in
Room 220 of Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive.
➢ March 7
Nekita Thomas, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design in the School of Art + Design, will hold
the interactive Design and the Black Spatial Imaginary Workshop: Creating Black-Affirming
Public Spaces at 4PM in Room 220 of Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive.
➢ March 8
La Fête
DJs N the Library
The closing celebration: a joyful jawn, with food, (non-alcoholic) drink, and the musical stylings
of bla(CK)mau— the DJ collective made up of Stacey Robinson, Chris Kinson, and Kamau
Grantham— at 7PM in the Music and Performing Arts Library, 1114 W. Nevada Street.
The Blaxtravaganza: Celebrating Black Futures is supported in part by the Humanities Research Institute’s
Supplemental Event Fund.
All events are free and open to the public.
Contact: Courtney Becks
bexlib@illinois.edu
Writing a book chapter about six Black College of Fine and Applied Arts faculty members in 2021 was a
watershed for Prof Courtney Becks. Learning about their research processes, careers, and lives through
interviews was the relationship- and community-building work well suited to her way of existing in the
world.