Dillard University Student Ambassador Update

Written By Akilah Northern

I have made a lot of progress recently with both the Black History Month Contest and campus outreach. We had 8 people sign up for the Black History Month poetry slam and two people submit their poems. I individually called and texted participants to see if they needed help. I was able to help one student clarify the rules of the contest and submit her poem.

Poetry Contest Grading Rubric and Score Sheet

I completed the grading rubric and score sheet and sent them to the judges. I focused on ease of use by giving categories and scores 1-5. One judge has already completed the evaluation for both poems submitted so far.

Dorothy Roberts Clip

For outreach I gave a demonstration of the digital archive to my Reproductive Justice Task Force. Because the task force focuses on providing Black women, safety, freedom, and choices surrounding their bodies and lives, I showed them a video of law professor and author Dorothy Roberts. In the clip, Roberts discusses her book Killing the Black Body, and how it shifted the perspective from a reproductive rights based framework that looked at things narrowly to a reproductive justice framework that looks at things more holistically.

Reproductive Justice Task Force Demonstration

The task force enjoyed the clip and were interested in the archive so I believe they will use it for research or entertainment.

Akilah Northern

Akilah G. Northern (she/her) is a third year student at Dillard University. She is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Originating from Nashville, Tennessee, an influential civil rights city, has deepened her love for Black history and culture. And her rich family history of Black excellence has grown her love for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Akilah is inspired by poet, writer, and activist Audre Lorde and her work in womanist thought and literature. She loves to support small Black businesses and learn about Southern Black tradition! She is passionate about advocating for underrepresented groups and promotes cultural awareness through her involvement in In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. Furthermore, on campus, she is involved in Dillard Collegiate DECA and the Melton Foundation Global Fellowship. She is excited to be a HistoryMakers Ambassador and help spread Black history through modern oral tradition.

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