Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month is a national celebration in February dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the achievements, contributions, resilience and legacies of Black and African Americans in the United States.

In 1926, Harvard-trained historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” established Black History Week, which has since expanded to an entire month-long celebration and was proclaimed by United States presidents as National Black History Month. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH) and every year ASAALH chooses a theme to highlight the merits and accomplishments by individuals of African descent. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance.”

At UT Health San Antonio, we are proud to highlight a few of our leaders, scientists, clinicians, staff and rising stars representing a cadre of Black/African American exemplars that you should get to know!

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Yeman Collier, vice president and chief information officer, drives innovation technology at UT Health San Antonio and was featured in HealthTech Magazines, a leading source of information for forward-thinking IT professionals on how the “Pandemic Triggered Technology Innovation in Healthcare.”


Sabrina T. Bent, MD, MS, clinical professor of anesthesiology and medical director of pediatric anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesiology in the Long School of Medicine, is responsible for managing and coordinating the activities required to provide a safe and supportive environment for patients and health care teams.


Derek Bell, MEd, deputy Title IX coordinator and investigator in the Title IX Office, works with multiple offices and divisions across the university to provide educational training, resources and reporting options to students, specifically regarding concerns of gender-based discrimination.


La’Keisha Johnson, BBA, MBA, director of the Office of Student Life, student ombudsperson and foster care liaison, collaborates with campus-wide leadership to create impactful programming and services for students. With nearly 20 years of experience, she understands the importance of collaboration in student affairs, as well as patient care and research.


Bennett T. Amaechi, BDS, MSc, PhD, MFDSRCPS (Glasg), FADI, professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry in the School of Dentistry, is a highly accomplished dentist, scholar, educator and a dedicated mentor. He was awarded the 2022 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System.


Kelly McGlothen-Bell, PhD, RN, IBCLC, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, has published numerous peer-reviewed articles related to developmental strategies for high-risk infants. Dr. McGlothen-Bell has received numerous awards to include the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) Mentee/Mentor Grant Award (2019), Emerging Nurse Leader for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing (2017) and Academy/Jonas Nurse Policy Scholar (2019-2021).


Tammy D. Harris, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor and associate clinical coordinator in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the School of Health Professions, is an Air Force veteran with 28 years of experience, where she practiced in primary care, family practice, basic military troop clinics for trainees and cadets, a seizure clinic, an inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit, stroke service and urgent/acute care.


Babatunde “Kay” Oyajobi, MD, PhD, MBA, professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy and director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, 2018 Presidential Awardee, is a prolific scientist with over 30 years of experience conducting research on multiple myeloma-induced bone disease. He also leads The South Texas Doctoral Bridge Program, an NIH-funded research training program that promotes the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in the pursuit of advanced degrees in biomedical research. It is one of only 11 such programs in the U.S., and the only one in Texas.


We encourage you to engage in any of the following upcoming events, lectures, tours, family activities and more to celebrate Black History Month in San Antonio, surrounding areas or online!

Dates Event
Accessible 24/7/365  

Bryan Stevenson – Human Rights Lawyer/Author

Description: Founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative provides an engaging TedTalk — similar to a keynote given at the Association of American Medical Colleges annual meeting (2019).

 

Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

African American Music and the Struggle for Freedom

Description: Panel discussion hosted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

Click here to watch via ASALH TV.

Feb. 9, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Walk on the River: A Black History of the Alamo City (Virtual)

Click here to register for this screening.

Feb. 18, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.    

San Antonio Black History Bus Tour

Description: A local bus tour (~2hr) visiting over 15 Black historic landmarks on the Eastside of San Antonio.

Click here for ticket and location information.

 

Feb. 22, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.  

Green Book: The Black Travelers’ Guide to Jim Crow America

Description: For nearly 30 years, a guide called the “Negro Motorist Green Book” provided African Americans with advice on safe places to eat and sleep when they traveled through the Jim Crow-era United States. The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum is hosting a Historic Marker Unveiling tour of six safe places provided in San Antonio during this era.

Click here for ticket and location information.]

Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Black History Month Kid’s Day at the Carver!

Description: A cultural event for children and families that celebrates the contributions of African American trailblazers through educational activities, crafts and music.

Click here for ticket and location information.

Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The 4th Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival

Description: Features over 45 gifted authors, a Black history for children book exhibit and giveaway, a young people’s writing session, an esteemed keynote author and children’s activities.

Click here for ticket and location information.

Feb. 26-March 5

Black Restaurant Week San Antonio

Description: Enjoy local food while raising funds for the San Antonio Food Bank at a wide variety of locations. This week-long campaign spotlights Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, businesses and Black professionals in the culinary industry by promoting cuisine, culture and community.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

Sincerely,

Chiquita A. Collins, PhD, MA

Pronouns: she/her/ella

Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Chief Diversity Officer

InclusiveExcellence@uthscsa.edu

 

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