It wasn't the first time the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois has celebrated Black History Month, but the 2025 CEE luncheon organized by staff members Jennifer Bishop, Jamar Brown, Marlo Hedrick certainly exceeded anything the department has seen before. 

In recent years, the three staff members have developed awareness events individually, creating educational bulletin board displays to highlight important figures in the Black history at the university and CEE, coordinating with Black and minority student organizations, and hosting Black History Soul Food Luncheons in the Water Resources Engineering Sciences and Geotechnical areas.

In February 2024, when CEE Department Head Ana Barros attended these events, she immediately asked how the department could better support their efforts. It was with this support that Bishop, Brown, and Hedrick decided they could combine their efforts to organize a Black history celebration luncheon for the entire department.

The hope was for the event to help to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture and contributions to the university and the department and illustrate the interconnectedness of Black history throughout the history of CEE.

Bishop is passionate about the importance of learning about Black history and culture, adding that it can "enhance cultural awareness and critical thinking skills" for all students and staff, not just Black students. She believes that the more people learn about each other, the more they are able to find commonalities and connection. 

For Hedrick, as a grandmother, there is a deeply personal motivation in sharing about Black history in CEE; she believes it is crucial in inspiring the next generation of engineers, that the sharing and education that happens outside the classroom, and often at the dining room table, can be incredibly impactful. 

"During Black History Month and around the holiday dinner tables, I have been able to continue to speak about University of Illinois CEE engineers’ accomplishments in hopes that one of my 11 grandchildren is listening and take an interest in the field, " Hendrick says.

Bringing a vision to life

The trio immediately began planning their celebration luncheon, dividing up the work to ensure the event was educational, comprehensive, and delicious.

"From the beginning this has been a collaborative effort for Marlo, Jamar and myself," Bishop explained. "Jamar helped to take care of the logistical things for us, Marlo being a well know caterer, has taken the lead on food choice and menu items.  While I will make sure that we have food items covered for our vegetarian and vegan attendees."

With planning underway, the team set to work on expanding the guest list. Brown connected with student groups, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Empowering Minorities and Building Representation Across Civil and Environmental Engineering (EMBRACE), both were excited to participate in the event.

Many other university community members were also eager to support the celebration, including and Bruce Nesbitt's daughter, Valeri Nesbitt-Howard and the staff from the Illinois' Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center.

Bishop, Brown, and Hedrick also had hopes that one of the most impactful figures in Black history at Illinois might be able to attend: University of Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones. 

Barros extended the invitation to the chancellor, and he accepted.

Bishop, Brown, and Hedrick were overjoyed, along with many other emotions.

"So here we are excited, proud," Hedrick explains, "but more so, elated that the First Black Chancellor of the University of Illinois will be a guest giving remarks at the 1st CEE Black History Celebration event."

Empowering communities through connection

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the day of the Luncheon had arrived.

While Bishop, Brown, and Hedrick may have been short on sleep, there was no shortage of energy. The Kavita and Lalit Bahl Smart Bridge had been transformed into an interactive educational space, with the smell of home-made soul food filling the air.

Students, faculty, and staffed lined up outside the doors, with excited anticipation for the event to begin. 

The doors opened and worries about whether people would show up for this first annual effort were quickly allayed, as the lines for the lunch wrapped through the hallways and the Bridge became standing room-only.

Attendees explored the displays while awaiting their turn in line, connecting with each other as they learned more about Black culture and its contributions to the university and department.

Chancellor Jones' arrival brought contagious excitement that reverberated throughout the event. He received a warm welcome as he joined the lunch line, chatting with students and staff about the event and the delectable food prepared by Bishop and Hedrick and other event volunteers. 

As CEE students, staff, and faculty enjoyed their lunch alongside other campus and community guests, Department Head Ana Barros shared opening remarks and introduced the chancellor.

Chancellor Jones shared his personal experiences as an African American, how he had come from a family of sharecroppers, and that his parents had not been able to pursue their education beyond middle school. Jones revealed his deep appreciation for his parent's bravery and commitment to furthering his education, saying that he would not be here today without their dedication and advocacy for his education.

He also emphasized the magnitude of the contributions African Americans have made to the university, including William Walter Smith. A CEE alumnus, Smith became the first African American graduate of the University of Illinois in 1900. Smith earned an A.B. and B.S. in Literature and Arts, along with a professional degree in Civil Engineering. 

During his time at Illinois, Smith was editor-in-chief of the weekly Illini from 1899-1900, now The Daily Illini. According to University records, Smith also “proposed to the University President that there be a bookstore on the corner of Wright and Green Streets so students traveling along the ‘Illini Trail’ shortcut could access materials and supplies more easily.”  

Jones remarked that he had a photo of Smith in his office, and that he often reflected on the impact Smith has made on the university, paving the way for Jones' own career at Illinois. 

With his time at the university coming to an end later this summer, as he transitions to what he calls the "last chapter" of his career as the next president at the University of Washington, the chancellor reflected on his tenure at Illinois.

Jones conveyed bittersweet emotions; while feeling pride in all that has been accomplished at Illinois since he arrived in 2016, he also recognized the difficulties of leaving at a time when he knows more progress can be made to help bring people together of all different backgrounds, and to improve equitable access to education across all races and incomes, building on programs like Illinois Commitment.

The chancellor's remarks also touched on the importance of events like these in moving forward that progress, and how valuable out-of-the-classroom educational experiences and conversations are to facilitating appreciation of cultural differences, contributions and challenges, but also the discovery of personal and cultural commonalities. 

Student leaders also spoke at the event. Grant Linsday, President of EMBRACE, and Saliyah As-Salaam, Secretary of the NSBE at Illinois, described their gratitude for student organizations and the support they provide.

As they shared their experiences, a common theme emerged: some of the most difficult moments students, and people, face are those moments when they feel alone, that they don't belong in a group or situation because they are different, or that they are alone or unique in their struggles. Organizations like NSBE and EMBRACE afford students the knowledge that they are never alone, give them support to find success, and empower them to create connections across the campus community.

Bishop, Brown, and Hedrick gave their closing remarks, echoing these thoughts along with those of Chancellor Jones, underscoring the importance of opportunity, support, and understanding in communities. Their comments illustrated how events like this one not only bring appreciation for other cultures and experiences, but also highlighted that the more we discuss and value cultural differences, the more similarities and shared experiences can emerge. Collaboration across communities provides the opportunity for the growth of empathy and understanding of the interconnectedness of our common goals and struggles. The message that seemed to resonate throughout the luncheon: in valuing, empowering, and collaborating with others, we strengthen our collective communities.

As the event drew to a close, the trio began the hard work of cleaning up alongside other CEE staff and student volunteers, but their smiles only brightened as they absorbed the success of the day. 

"It’s been a labor of joy to see other excited about this event unfolding," Bishop shared.

They are looking forward to next year's luncheon, and how to grow the event based the tremendous positive response they received.  As they plan ahead, they continue to explore new opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments that Black engineers and students have made on this university and throughout the world, while inspiring communities to find strength and connections in their differences.