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The UMass Amherst Libraries invite the campus community to an evening of celebration and reflection featuring the libraries’ collecting initiative, the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archive (BFA), on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Founded by McClaurin, a UMass Distinguished Alumna and former employee, the BFA is an archival home for Black women, gender-nonconforming people and their allies. The BFA identifies Black women and others from all walks of life whose art, activism and scholarship may not be well known, and preserves their wide array of contributions at community, state, national and global levels.

McClaurin is a Black feminist anthropologist, academic administrator, award-winning poet and author, past president of Shaw University and leader in higher education. She will be joined at the event by Nandita Mani, deputy chancellor for institutional effectiveness and dean of University Libraries, and current students working with the BFA.

Attendees will also enjoy a special performance by renowned jazz artist Connie Fredericks-Malone and will have the opportunity to bid on historic images of Black luminaries photographed by McClaurin and elegantly rendered on glass.

The cost to attend the event is $100, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and a $50 tax-deductible donation to the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archive Endowment.

For more information and to register, visit the UMass Amherst Foundation website.