Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This year’s Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explored the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of “music, film, fashion, visual and performing arts, folklore, literature, language, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.”
Colleagues at Mercy Medical Center were invited to recognize and celebrate Black History Month through afro-diasporic cuisine that continues to demonstrate the centrality of tradition, culture, and legacy. For three Thursdays in February, the cafeteria at Mercy offered special menu items that honor Afrocentric/ Southern Culture. The special dining options were made available through a collaboration between the Springfield Market’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council and the Nutrition and Food Service teams at Mercy.
Additionally, Community Engagement Fairs were held at Mercy Medical Center and Johnson Memorial Hospital on February 22 and 29, respectively. At the fairs, colleagues across the hospitals were invited to explore products and services from local, Black, and women-owned businesses. Featured products included clothing, beauty products, candles, fashion socks and jewelry.