The Department of African American and African Studies is excited to bring back Activating Wellness Week – an initiative created in 2022 by AAAS advisors. Activating Wellness is an intentional and practical extension of AAAS value of moving beyond survival and into wellness. During this week we take time to pause and center wellness together. Students, faculty, and healers have been invited to lead various sessions. All events will be held in North Kedzie N219 with the exception of virtual yoga.

On Monday, October 16, 2023, “Wellness & Black Feminisms” is being led by Dr. Sheri Lewis’s AAAS 200: Black Feminisms course. This will be from 1:00-2:00p. Candice the Oracle, local in Lansing at Oracle’s Apothecary, is leading a session on African Traditional Religions from 3:00-4:00p. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Dr. LeConté Dill will host Black Girl Breathe, a guided meditation session, from 12:00-1:00p. On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Professor Gianina K.L. Strother will lead us in wellness and movement with Dance and Collective Joy from 10:20-10:40a. We are excited to invite Cearra Stinson to lead a virtual yoga session from 11:30-12:30p. And, lastly, on Thursday, October 19, 2023, Angie Melissa González Chaverra will visit for her DanzArte: Chirimía Chocoana for Social Justice and Resistance movement workshop from 11:00-1:00p. This will be followed by a talk with Dr. Tiffany L. King on Encountering New Benders in the River(s), which is co-hosted by the MSU American Indian and Indigenous Studies, exploring the solidarities between Black and Indigenous folks.

We’re excited to share our value of wellness and well-being with our students, campus, and community!