Over the coming term, InterCultural Student Initiatives will hold events for the College community.
Black History Month 2026: Africa is Everywhere
2026 marks a century of national commemorations of Black History. Dr. Carter Godwin
Woodson, George Cleveland Hall, William D. Hartgrove, Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander
L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps institutionalized the teaching, study, dissemination,
and commemoration of Black History and Culture when they founded the Association for
the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) on September 9, 1915.
This year, College of DuPage will focus on teaching and learning about Pan-African
culture, the African Diaspora, and how people of African descent in the United States
view their role in history and culture, as well as the influence of Black culture
worldwide.
These programs are managed by InterCultural Student Initiatives in collaboration with COD Students, Student Life, COD Library, Faculty Department, Staff, Custodial and Technical Services.
Everyone is welcome unless noted otherwise for students only.
For more information, contact:
InterCultural Student Initiatives
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 1100
David Swope: swoped28@cod.edu
Elizabeth Gomez de la Casa: gomezdelacasae@cod.edu
Events, descriptions and locations subject to change pending current conditions. Refer to the Events Calendar listed at the bottom of this page.
Photo Exhibit
The Movement From Africa to America
Runs From Feb. 1 through March 13
SRC Corridor, directly across from the bookstore
The teaching and learning of Black History and Culture will be on visual display through images and captions from Africa and America’s past to its present day stories which focuses on the Pan-African experience and some of the reasons why many Blacks in American strive, struggle, and succeed as part of America’s history.
For further discussion regarding the displayed images contact David Swope, swoped28@cod.edu.
2026 Expressions Competition
Submittals Due March 6, 2026
For Enrolled COD Students Only
Guided by a quote from an African American in the Arts (visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, etc.), COD students are invited to submit an essay, a story, a piece of art, music, video, poetry, or any other form of expression you choose. The top three submittals will be awarded, and their selections will be featured on the Student Diversity Equity & Inclusion webpage.
All Enrolled COD students are invited to participate in the 2026 Black History & Culture “Expressions” contest.
Select a quotation, song, poem, or peace of literature by a noted African American that is relevant to the 2026 Black History theme “Africa is Everywhere.”
Then, guided by your selection, express yourself! Your expression can take any form – an essay, a story, a piece of art or music, a poem, or any other form of expression that you desire.
Criteria:
Your expression will be evaluated based on its authentic impact and on how well it
expresses your chosen content. The judging will not be objective – impress us with
your knowledge, insight and ability to communicate ideas and feelings.
Submissions:
Submit your original work in any format (i.e. – Word document, MP3 file, YouTube video/link,
photography, artwork in any medium, etc.). Include your name, student ID, email,
and your chosen content (with author / artist cited), if it is not evident in your
submission.
Submissions will be received at the offices of InterCultural Student Initiatives in person SSC 1100 or via email at intercultual@cod.edu with the subject line “Expressions Contest _ (First and last name with student ID)
Subject Line Example: Expressions Context_ Jane Doe 123456
Review and Award of Prizes:
A panel will review and select the top THREE submissions who will each receive a minimum award of $600 posted to your COD account by March 13, 2026.
Deadline for all submissions: Friday, March 6 by 5 p.m. CST
**All written work must be substantive. No Ai submissions. Essays must be two pages minimum. Poems must be at least one full page, minimum. Submittals will be time stamped and will not be accepted if submitted after 5 p.m. CST on Friday, March 6.**
Books for Africa Drive
COD Africa Committee
Books For Africa collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, school supplies, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa in collaboration with worldwide donors, publishers, and African partners.
Books For Africa is the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 57 million books to all 55 countries on the African continent since 1988. Last year alone, Books For Africa shipped 3.2 million books, valued at over $26.7 million, and 355 computers and e-readers containing over 1,065,000 digital books, to 27 African countries. More than $2.3 million was raised last year to ship these books to the students of Africa.
This year InterCultural Student Initiatives joins the College of DuPage Africa Committee which has donated materials to Books for Africa for over 20 years. It began with Professor Emeritus, Dr. Chris Goergen. The Africa Committee continues to carry on this tradition with its annual book drive.
Books will be collected starting Feb 1. in The HUB, Student Services Center (SSC), Room 1138 as noted.
Sustainable Development Goals Addressed
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
Video: Example of a civic engagement project completed by two Atlanta Teens
Here's what you can donate
- Children's books
- Books that are 15 years old or newer
- Primary, secondary, and college textbooks (soft and hard cover) published in the last 15 years
- Dictionaries or reference books published in the last 10 years, except encyclopedia sets
- Medical, nursing, technical and science books published in the last 10 years
- Bibles, please place them in a box separate from other donations and mark the box as “Religious texts.” Bibles are sent only when requested by African recipients
- School/office supplies—paper, pencils, pens, wall charts, maps, etc.
Not Accecpted
- Encyclopedia sets
- Magazines or journals of any kind, including academic journals
- Home decorating or wedding books
- Cookbooks
- Ethnocentric books, such as the biography of Abraham Lincoln or the history of Ohio
- Foreign language books except for French books. French novels and dictionaries are welcome
- American history or civics
- Music books for K–12
- Murder mysteries or anything with “kill,” “die,” “murder,” etc. in the title
For more information contact Professor Thomas Hardy, hardyt503@cod.edu
Coffee and Conversations: Supporting Students Together
Join us in The Hub (SSC 1138) for an informal open space session to explore ways to support students and one another. Enjoy coffee and cookies while connecting with colleagues, sharing experiences, and gaining insights into student-focused support strategies. All COD employees are welcome monthly.
Open Space: Reflect, Process and Discuss
Join us in The Hub (SSC 1138) for a supportive, open discussion, where students can come together to share thoughts, listen and connect. This space is for COD students to discuss, reflect and support each other as a campus community. All students are welcome every Tuesday from noon to 1.
InterCultural Student Initiative Events
Contact Information
InterCultural Student Initiatives (ISI)
Student Service Center (SSC), Room 1111
David A. Swope Sr.
Manager, InterCultural Student Initiatives and Peer Mentoring
(630) 942-2565
Email: swoped28@cod.edu
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Elizabeth Gómez de la Casa
Manager, Intercultural Student Initiatives and Student Support
Hablo español
(630) 942-3146
Email: gomezdelacasae@cod.edu
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.