November 15 : Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert Performance Dates

It's time to save the date for the Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs’ presentation of the 96th Annual Christmas Carol Concert series. This staple event has been exciting the Atlanta community for more than 75 years.

Each performance is free and open to the public. Spelman will host two concerts at Sisters Chapel, beginning with "A Taste of Christmas" – a one-hour sampling of exclusively Spelman favorites from the 96th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert presented by the Spelman College Glee Club – on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. This event is scheduled to highlight the history of the Annual Christmas Carol Concert, the glee clubs, music selections and more. It will also feature a short Q&A, giving the audience the opportunity to gain insight from the conductors and student leaders.

The "Christmas Carol Concert" will premiere on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Traditionally marking the official start of the Christmas season for Atlanta residents, these glee clubs will perform together (and individually) featuring traditional carols and contemporary-style interpretations of various holiday music.

The event is free and open to the public. No ticket is required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The first 500 guests will be seated in Sisters Chapel. Remaining guests will be seated in our overflow areas – the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center Auditorium and the Albro-Falconer-Manley Science Center NASA Auditorium. No reservations will be accommodated for the performance in Sisters Chapel.

Viewers can also enjoy the concert online via live stream beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on these events and the Morehouse College performances, please visit the 96th Annual Christmas Carol Concert page.

The approaching holiday season means more celebrations, more gatherings, but also more risks for illness.

As much of the nation experiences increased cases of COVID-19, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – particularly in young children – finding measures to avert or mitigate the spread of these and other illnesses is key.

To prevent instances of illness like the flu, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends individuals over six months of age should get vaccinated. Individuals can also slow or stop the spread of germs at holiday gatherings and events by cleaning and disinfecting common surfaces and spaces regularly, covering their coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing their hands often, and avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick.

Yemi Brown, Pharm.D., Spelman College COVID-19 Operations manager, suggests that students, faculty and staff should remember the College’s mandatory indoor masking policy while actively monitoring their health and paying close attention to illness symptoms like a runny nose or persistent cough.

Spelman students, faculty and staff also have free access to preventative supplies, such as KN95 masks, disinfecting hand sanitizer and rapid antigen self-test kits – all of which are available in the Beverly D. Tatum Suites Private Dining Room each Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Taking proper precautions not only protects you from the threat of illness this holiday season, but doing so helps to protect your friends and loved ones as well.

"This winter season, the important thing to remember is that you can take an active role in stopping the spread of germs by following health precautions and staying informed," said Dr. Brown. "Prevention is key, so be sure to take the time to get an annual flu shot and a bivalent COVID-19 booster when eligible. Remember to always stay home if you feel sick or unwell and consult with a health care provider."

For more information and tips, visit the CDC's website.

On November 10, the Spelman College Census Information Center (CIC) – in partnership with Spelman’s Sociology and Anthropology Department and the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative – hosted a day of engaging events for U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos.

The Spelman CIC – established in 2000 – is the only center at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that is not supported by a graduate student population. Spelman is also one of four HBCUs in the nation to have a CIC. One of the main highlights of the day included the Census and Community Lunch and Learn event, featuring Santos as the keynote speaker.

During this event, various professionals throughout the AUC gathered to learn and discuss the importance of leveraging data. Santos informed attendees that data can be used to provide valuable insights to local and national political influences, or it can be used to focus on disparities in historically underserved communities – such as those comprised of people of color.

In the short time Santos has served as director, he has already launched an initiative to inspire community-based conversations that will help the U.S. Census Bureau improve their data products, ensuring their data remains relevant. Santos expounded on the magnitude of such work.

"We discovered that we really need to continue having continuous relationships with communities, especially communities of color," said Santos. "We need to understand what your needs are so that we can provide you with the tools you need for community development, economic development, and so forth."

Spelman’s CIC Director and Sociology and Anthropology Assistant Professor Celeste N. Lee, Ph.D., noted why Santos’ visit to Spelman marks a historic moment.

"Today we sit in a really unique position," said Dr. Lee. "This is the first time a director has engaged with this type of work – of touring and engaging different communities to get feedback about data, about where we see possibility for improvement for change."

Erin Grier, C'2024, a junior English major with a minor in film studies and visual culture, spent her summer serving as a correspondence intern for Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.

"It was an amazing eight weeks of personal and professional growth. I am so thankful for the formative knowledge and support system I have gained over the past two years at Spelman, which gave me the confidence to take on this prestigious position," said Grier.

The White House Internship Program is a public service leadership and development program that provides emerging leaders with an opportunity to gain valuable skills while supporting the work of the White House and furthering the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration. The program provides paid internships across the Executive Office of the President. Interns participating in the White House Internship Program will support the White House Office and the Office of the Vice President.

To read more about Grier, visit Spelman’s Our Stories page.

Congratulations to Darryl Holloman, Ph.D., Spelman College vice president for Student Affairs, who was recently named a 2023 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Pillar of the Profession.

"I am deeply and humbly honored to be chosen as a 2023 NASPA Pillar of the Profession. The culmination of my nearly 30 years of work in higher education, which includes my amazing journey at Spelman College, has contributed to this esteemed recognition," said Dr. Holloman. "As I always tell my team, Good Works Stand, so let that motto be your guide!"

For more information, visit the NASPA website.

Award-winning actress and writer/producer, Danielle Deadwyler, C’2004, is receiving critical acclaim for her starring role in "Till" – a film highlighting Mamie Till Mobley’s pursuit of justice following the murder of her son, Emmett Till.In addition to her on-screen work, Deadwyler has an extensive background in other artistic mediums. Her raw talent has also been seen in stage productions like "Charlotte’s Web" and "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf."After graduating from Spelman College, Deadwyler received an M.A. in American and Interdisciplinary Studies from Columbia University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Poetry from Ashland University (Ohio).

Some of Deadwyler’s most notable works include guest-star roles on BET’s "Being Mary Jane," Tyler Perry and the OWN Network’s "The Have and The Have Nots," and her star role in the Netflix western film "The Harder They Fall."