Last week I visited the National Museum of Psychology for the first time. The University of Akron museum has been on my list of local places to check out since moving here, and it did not disappoint. It includes both permanent and rotating exhibits as well as hands-on opportunities for visitors.

Jennifer Bazar, the museum’s assistant director, and Tony Pankuch, the education and outreach coordinator, led an engaging tour about race and psychology that explored the deep history of racism in the field, from how Black patients in institutions were treated to biased intelligence testing of immigrants and children of color. In one horrifying story, Bazar and Pankuch explained how enslaved people who ran away were diagnosed as mentally ill.

The museum is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday. Check out its tours and workshops and events pages for more opportunities to visit.

The 88th Juried Student Exhibition at the University of Akron Myers School of Art runs through Friday. The gallery is open today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Lauren Marsh dances alongside other attendees of the Black Excellence Mixer after the conclusion of the We Are The Ones We Serve award ceremony on Feb. 22, 2024. (Matthew Brown / Signal Akron)

Akron leaders highlight culture of giving in the Black community

Feb. 28 | By Brittany Moseley

For many Black Americans, the culture of giving that started in the church has spread to other aspects of their lives. According to a 2012 report from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, nearly two-thirds of Black households give to charitable causes, and they give 25% more of their income per year than whites. This is despite Black families having considerably less wealth than white families.