What happens when you bring together student-athletes, artists, museum professionals, and community leaders to imagine a different kind of campus culture? You get Reframe, an ongoing partnership between The Block Museum of Art and Northwestern Athletics that is changing the game.

Developed out of a multi-year commitment and launched in 2024 with a celebratory kick-off event, Reframe has evolved into a meaningful event for connection, creativity, and reflection across campus communities. This year, the initiative reached new heights as Northwestern Athletics took the lead, with artist and alum Dwight White serving as featured creative. A former football player turned designer and storyteller, White created custom warm-up shirts for every Northwestern athletic team to wear during Black History Month—garments that honored community, leadership, and cultural legacy.

“The entire Block team is proud to see our work with NU Athletics grow and expand in these exciting ways,” says Erin Northington, Associate Director, Campus and Community Education and Engagement. “We are grateful to our partners Maria Sanchez, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Leadership and Community Impact; DJ Huff, Big Ten Fellow; and everyone at NU Athletics for their shared enthusiasm and commitment to the meaningful role the arts play in the lives and holistic development of our Northwestern student-athletes.”

The collaboration culminated in a vibrant evening at the Walter Athletics Center, where student-athletes, coaches, artists, and Northwestern leadership gathered to explore the power of art and storytelling. Guests moved through a showcase of creative work, enjoying conversations with a dynamic lineup of featured artists and social impact leaders in Chicago. Reframe invited attendees to consider how the arts can amplify voice, build empathy, and expand definitions of success and leadership for all.

The evening concluded with a live musical performance by student-athlete and singer-songwriter Ava Earl, whose voice anchored the gathering in emotion and artistry. A panel conversation with local creatives, moderated by Dwight White, explored leadership, creativity, and the intersections of art and athletics. Throughout the space, ongoing activations invited guests to engage with local and campus-based creatives as they shared their practices and personal journeys.

Student-athlete and former Block Museum intern Audrey Bannister served as emcee and speaker for the evening. Reflecting on her time with The Block, she shared how the museum helped her realize she didn’t have to be defined by a single identity: “The Block helped me see I can be more than one thing,” she said. This sentiment resonated deeply with her peers.

Other featured speakers included:

• Kristen Renee Ingram, founder of PLUS ONE and a leader in social impact storytelling
  
• Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry, who leads community outreach for the Chicago Bulls
  
• Liz Flores, a Chicago-based muralist exploring the female form and everyday experience
  
• Kendall Hurns, founder of The Arte Haus
  
• Erin Northington, Associate Director of Engagement at The Block Museum, who facilitated the evening alongside Athletics partners
  

The event embodied what Reframe is all about: creating spaces where artistic expression and athletic leadership meet, where students see themselves reflected in multiple ways, and where new stories can take shape. One student attendee summed it up perfectly: “Thank you for bringing The Block to Walter. It means a lot.”

What began as a modest idea—how to make the museum more present in campus life—has grown into something deeper: a model for how creative partnerships can expand outward, sparking joy, meaning, and pride within the campus community.

Scenes from the Celebration

Photos by Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics