black history month

University of Ottawa students filled the Sala San Marco Centre Conference Centre on Feb. 27 for a night showcasing cultural and artistic displays from the black community. This year’s theme, “Surviving Violence,” was punctuated by a keynote address by Keke Palmer on her experiences as a black woman.

One of the artists behind this mural was Kalkidan Assefa, an Ottawa-based artist also known as @drippin_soul, his Instagram handle and tag for his art. When members of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) decided they wanted a mural painted in the University Centre (UCU) for Black History Month, they knew exactly who to call.

The black-tie gala was held at Tabaret Hall on campus, and featured a variety of talented black performers and speakers, including American author and transgender activist, Janet Mock. Staying true to its purpose, the candlelit tables were adorned with names of important black figures in history instead of numbers.