When Dwight White II was a student at Northwestern University, few places made him share a sense of community with other students than his time at the Black House. It was a place where you could enjoy a plate of food nearly as good as your mom’s, and a safe space to freely celebrate Black achievements like former President Barack Obama’s inauguration. White, a Chicago-based muralist, painter and creative consultant, said the Black House often inspired him to reimagine what life on campus could look like for Black students if their needs were being met. Originally built in 1968 following the student occupation of the Bursar’s Office, the Black House was shut down for much-needed renovations in June 2019. For two years, Black students were without their sanctuary space and many felt closed off from the communities that made them feel safe, Blavity previously reported . When the doors of the Black House reopened in October, students were welcomed into the Victorian-style house...
