As part of its fifteenth anniversary, Multicultural Affairs is excited to announce that its space in Lerner Hall will be renamed in honor of Audre Lorde.

Join us for the dedication ceremony and reception on her birthday, February 18. Learn more about all the events offered to explore her work that has been inspirational to many in our community.

Audre Lorde Week Events

Theater Outing to Zora Howard's STEW

Saturday, February 15 at 12:15 p.m. | Meet in 505 Lerner 

Lorde wrote: "Eventually, if we speak the truth to each other, it will become unavoidable to ourselves.” Join Students of Color @ Columbia and International @ Columbia to this production at Page 73 Theater. In Zora Howard's STEW, Mama is up early to prepare an important meal, and even with her family on hand to help, time is running short. Tensions simmer with three generations of Tucker women under one roof, but things come to a boil as the violence hovering around the periphery of their lives begins to intrude upon the sanctity of Mama’s kitchen. Howard will stick around to speak with the group for a post-play conversation! Lunch, tickets and MetroCards provided. Reserve your spot.

Theater Outing to Wir / Us / Nosotrxs, a declaration of love

Saturday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. | Meet in 505 Lerner 

Lorde theorizes the Erotic as "a site of power for women only when they learn to release it from its suppression and embrace it." Join LGBTQ @ Columbia to this production at La Mama Theater. Wir / Us / Nosotrxs, a declaration of love challenges concepts of patriarchal love that shape our self-esteem, sexual fulfillment and sense of freedom. Dinner, tickets and MetroCards provided. Reserve your spot.

Authentic Self-Care: A conversation on wellness as a FLI student at Columbia

Monday, February 17, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | 505 Lerner 

Lorde wrote: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation." In the First-generation and/or low income (FLI) community, do we give ourselves permission to focus on our own self-care? Do you ever feel guilty for putting your well-being first? What does it look like to authentically practice self-care while acknowledging the unique pressures we face as FLI students who are juggling classes, work, summer planning and family obligations back home? Join FLI@Columbia for a dialogue and skills-share about the nuances of self-care as a FLI student. Come build community with other students and take away new strategies and resources to support your wellness here on campus. Dinner is provided.

Audre Lorde Community Space: Dedication Ceremony and Reception

Tuesday, February 18, 5:30–7:00 p.m. | 555 and 505 Lerner 

For its fifteenth anniversary, Multicultural Affairs' Lerner Hall space will be renamed in honor of Audre Lorde — "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet" whose work and spirit have been inspirational for many of our students, campus members and the work of the office. A reception will follow the ceremony.

The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde

Wednesday, February 19, noon–1:30 p.m. | 505 Lerner 

Hosted by International @ Columbia, screen this powerful documentary about Lorde's broad social vision of intersectional feminism and translation of that vision into the transnational conference, "I Am Your Sister: Forging Global Connections Across Differences." Lunch is provided.

Anti-Racism Workshop

Friday, February 21, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | 505 Lerner 

Through personal reflection, interactive exercises and group dialogue, this workshop explores racial oppression and its systemic maintenance, and asks participants to consider strategies and frameworks for shifting from a “not-racist” mode to an “anti-racist” one. Part of the Identity and Inclusion Series. Registration is required.