American Family Insurance celebrates Black History Month

From January to April 2022, we celebrate Black History Month to recognize the history, triumphs and struggles of Black Americans, along with the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The American Family Insurance DreamBank will host a variety of events that are virtual and free to the public to celebrate Black History Month.

Black History Month

Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements and history of Black Americans. President Gerald Ford was the first to recognize the celebration. Since 1976, every U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month.

Events at American Family DreamBank

American Family’s DreamBank will be hosting several free and virtual events for Black History Month featuring notable speakers.

Join us for events that expand on and highlight Black history, culture, heritage and community, including:

IMPACT FOR GOOD: Behind Milwaukee 53206: Documentary Screening & Discussion

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, 2-4 p.m. Central Standard Time

Join us for an important viewing and conversation around mass incarceration. Together, we’ll watch, “MILWAUKEE 53206,” an award-winning documentary that chronicles the lives of those living in the ZIP code that incarcerates the highest percentage of Black men in America – up to 62%. Through the intimate stories of three 53206 residents, we’ll witness the high toll that mass incarceration takes on individuals and families that make up the community. 

The film will be followed by a candid discussion with Director and Producer, Keith McQuirter, two Milwaukee community members and activists featured in the film, and American Family Diversity and Inclusion Director, Leana Nakielski. Register through Eventbrite.

SPECIAL EVENT: Seeking Truth with Dawn Porter

Thursday, Feb. 17, 3-4 p.m. Central Standard Time

The American Family Insurance DreamBank is honored to host award-winning documentary filmmaker, Dawn Porter, for a stirring conversation in celebration of Black History Month. In this fireside chat with American Family’s Enterprise Chief Marketing Officer, Elicia Azali, Dawn will share how she pivoted in her career from attorney to filmmaker and her perspective on the significance of representation in storytelling. We’ll dive into the themes that tie her numerous works together, talk about what she’s most excited for on the horizon and advice she has for our community of dreamers.

Leave this inspiring conversation with the confidence to seek truth, understanding and newfound hope for the future. Register through Eventbrite.

SPECIAL EVENT: Black Excellence Lecture Series with Percy Brown

Thursdays, April 7-28, 6-7:30 p.m. Central Standard Time

DreamBank is thrilled to once again host Percy Brown’s Black Excellence lecture series – a course designed to help participants develop an understanding of the role and contributions Black people have provided to the growth and development of human civilization and the United States. The course will deconstruct the science of race, interrogate Eurocentric framing of Black people and offer counter narrative perspectives from great Black historians that reframes what most have come to know about Black people.

Due to his long and influential history of civil rights activism and leadership (e.g., Director of Equity and Student Achievement for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District and CEO of Critical Consulting, LLC), Percy Brown will share his expertise in a lecture-discussion format. Register through Eventbrite.

This four-week course will cover the following topics:

• Week One: Black Africa and Deconstructing Race Pre-1619
• Week Two: Black Resistance from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War
• Week Three: Black Resilience in the Era of Jim Crow
• Week Four: Afro-Futurism and Critical Consciousness 

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About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 232 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.

About DreamBank
At American Family, we believe communities are stronger and the future is brighter when people are actively pursuing their dreams. That’s why we created DreamBank — an inspirational community destination and virtual experience, dedicated to dreamers everywhere. Dreams take hard work and heart, and they thrive with connection and support. From our daily event series to immersive signature programs, we’ve cultivated a community of dreamers to celebrate the journey, overcome obstacles and stay motivated. DreamBank is designed for noble dreamers like you – who believe and achieve.