The Modern Day Lou
Mary Lou Day 2024
Join us as we commemorate 2024 Mary Lou Day by celebrating the re-opening of the Mary Lou Williams Center. March 29, 2024 2pm - 5pm The program will begin in the Korman Assembly Room (Perkins Library 217) followed by a reception & refreshments in the Mary Lou Williams Center (Flowers Building)
Our Core Values:
Community
"You can't talk about the Black community at Duke without mentioning The Lou. It's the center for Black everything" -T'25
Authenticity
" The Mary Lou Williams Center cultivates genuine experiences that encourage Black excellence." -Staff Member
Inclusion
" Personally, I've always felt a sense of comfort at The Lou. Even when I was a first year I would just go and sit in the space not talking to anyone just observing and understanding the culture. Taking up space in The Lou, I gave a silent invitation to anyone else friends, peers who didn't feel like they belong, a chance to see someone they knew being included." -Alumni T'20
Liberation
" The Mary Lou fosters liberation by pushing students out of their comfort zones from the minute they step on campus. Through daily conversations, social gatherings, and events students are able to break out of their shells and become their most liberated selves." - T'26
Respect
" The Mary Lou pays respect to all identities in the African and African American Diaspora through its signature programming, intentional advocacy, and fostering an environment rooted in coalition building." - Staff Member
Events Around Campus:
Unity Through Diversity
March 19, 2024
5:00pm — 7:00pm
Unity Through Diversity (UTD) is an annual campus-wide event highlighting distinct histories, needs, and priorities shared by student cultural communities of color.
Throwdown Thursday
March 21, 2024
11:30am — 1:30pm
Join us in The Lou, Bryan Center suite 109 for a time to build community, enjoy great food and networking with other graduate and professional…
CMA First Friday Breakfast
April 5, 2024
9:30am — 11:00am
CMA’s First Fridays Breakfast is a monthly community gathering space where all community members are welcome to stop by Suite 101 for a CMA sponsored…
First Friday
April 5, 2024
12:00pm — 4:00pm
Join us for a mid-day break at the First Friday of every month from 12pm-4pm! Stay tuned to see the theme for each Friday via…
Throwdown Thursday
April 11, 2024
11:30am — 1:30pm
Join us in The Lou, Bryan Center suite 109 for a time to build community, enjoy great food and networking with other graduate and professional…
Breaking Bread
April 17, 2024
5:00pm — 6:30pm
Join us as we connect with black identifying first year students! Stay tuned to see the theme for this Breaking Bread via our newsletter or…
CMA Multicultural Graduation
April 18, 2024
6:00pm — 8:00pm
A Multicultural Graduation Ceremony is a large-scale, celebratory event that uplifts the accomplishments, journey, and existence of graduating students of color on campus. It is…