Civil Rights Week 2023

Join us for Civil Rights Week, January 23-27, 2023.

The annual Civil Rights Week Celebration outlines the significant role St. Ambrose University played in the local civil rights movement. Since St. Ambrose was founded in 1882, its students, faculty, staff, and leadership have advocated for those who did not have equal opportunities due to racism, poverty and lack of education.

Monday, January 23
March to Remember - Starting Location: Christ the King Chapel
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Join the St. Ambrose community as we commemorate the Civil Rights movement and the active role St. Ambrose seminarians, faculty, and students had in the fight alongside community civil rights leaders to win local battles for equality; reflect on the movement's impact; and consider what those efforts mean for us today. The March will begin at Christ the King Chapel, accented by song, historical accounts, and reflection as we proceed through Campus. We will conclude the march at the Rogalski Center for hot chocolate and conversation and recommitment to the DEI pledge. Photos taken may be selected for posters to be displayed on campus.

Tuesday, January 24
QC Interfaith, Scott County Community ID - Location: Rogalski Center Ballroom
2:00-3:00 p.m.

Join community organizers Mayra Hernandez and Amber Bordolo from Quad City Interfaith in learning how Quad Cities Interfaith uses community organizing to develop community leaders to be their own voices in Scott County by asking County Supervisors to implement the Scott County Community ID.

Wednesday, January 25
DEI Pledge and Photos - Location: SAU Center for Health Sciences Education
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to recommit to the DEI pledge by picking up a DEI pledge card and having their photo taken in the CHSE Food Court. This is also an opportunity to visit the Civil Rights Celebration display and meet with DEI graduate student members. Photos taken may be selected for posters to be displayed on campus.

Civil Rights and Human Liberties Mass - Location: Christ the King Chapel
9:15 p.m.

Fr. Ross Epping and the Campus Ministry staff will highlight the legacy of civil rights and human liberties work during the weekly student mass. Prayers used will be from the "Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice" that evening. All are welcome.

Thursday, January 26
Community Service Project - Location: River Bend Foodbank (4010 Kimmel Drive, Davenport, Iowa, 52802)
3:00-5:00 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a service project with the River Bend Food Bank. River Bend Food Bank receives and distributes to food pantries in 26 Iowa and Illinois counties. We will be going to their warehouse in Davenport to sort donated items and pack food for distribution. Please gather in the Rogalski Center foyer at 2:45 p.m. for a ride or caravan.  Pre-registration is asked of volunteers, please email Nicole Gant at gantnicole@sau.edu by Tuesday, Jan 24th to get registered.

Documentary "The Loyola Project" - Location: Galvin Fine Arts
7:00-9:00 p.m.

At a time when it was uncommon for college basketball teams to play more than three Black players at any one time, the 1963 Loyola University Chicago Ramblers started four Black players and won the NCAA championship. This team not only revolutionized the way college basketball was played but also battled and overcame extreme racism both on and off the court. The Loyola Project, an independently produced documentary film by O'Malley Creadon Productions, tells their story. A Q&A session will follow the screening to spark meaningful conversations about how the messages in the film relate to our current day struggles in our daily lives whether it be in the workplace, in our schools, or in our community with regards to racial discrimination will follow each showing. This free showing and discussion are sponsored by The Notre Dame Club of the Quad-Cities.

Friday, January 27
Brown vs. Board of Education: The Desegregation and Resegregation of Schools in America - Location: Rogalski Center Ballroom
12:10-1:10 p.m.

Join us in this presentation and conversation covering the landmark ruling and the subsequent desegregation of schools. We will look at how schools are becoming segregated again and why. Dr. Nancy Stone is a retired educator and local community organizer.

For more information, email us at diversity@sau.edu and be sure to use #SAUCivilRights on social media all week!