The campus is invited to attend the grand opening of 119 Euclid Ave.
The campus community is invited to the celebratory opening of 119 Euclid Ave., a new space for students to gather and honor the University’s Black community and experiences, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 3 to 9 p.m.
The celebration will begin with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, during which University leadership and guests will share remarks. After the ceremony, attendees can tour the space and stay for the 119 Block Party, which will include:
The block party ends at 7 p.m., and doors to 119 Euclid Ave. will be open until 9 p.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided.
Formerly used as administrative offices, 119 Euclid Ave. returns to its original home-like state as a comfortable and welcoming space for the campus community—especially Black students and those interested in Black history and culture—to relax, share, learn and grow.
“The reimagined space at 119 Euclid Ave. provides students with more than a physical location to gather, study and relax—it serves as a place to find community, build connections and celebrate the longstanding history, traditions and contributions of the Black community on campus. It is a great enhancement to the student experience, and we encourage the campus community to join us in celebrating its opening on Sept. 7,” says Senior Vice President for the Student Experience Allen Groves, who will offer remarks at the event.
Black students, faculty, staff and alumni, under the leadership of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which will oversee the space, were engaged in rethinking the space at 119 Euclid. From quiet study to social gathering spaces, from artwork to furniture, Black students shaped the look and feel of the new 119 Euclid.
The spaces within 119 Euclid Ave. were created for students to share experiences, learn from each other and broaden perspectives.
“This house would not be possible without our community. From our students who spoke up and said that spaces like these were needed, to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have helped our office comb through every minute detail about this space, 119 Euclid Ave. is a full community effort,” says Eboni J. Britt, executive director of strategic communications and initiatives with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
The storied past of the Black community at the University is honored throughout the building, with displays and tributes to prominent, legendary and impactful alumni; cultural traditions; and the Black student organizations that have engaged students at the University for decades.
The dedicated space was created for students to share experiences, learn from each other, broaden perspectives through historical context, and support individual and collective successes, while validating and uplifting the Black experience, benefitting all students on campus.
The campus community is grateful to the donors who helped make this space possible, and giving opportunities are still available. To learn more, visit the 119 Euclid Ave. webpage on the Forever Orange campaign site.
