Black History Month
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Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual February observance, celebrating past and present achievements of African Americans. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, proposed the establishment of "Negro History Week" to honor the history and contributions of African Americans to American life. Woodson, known as the "Father of Black History," chose the second week of February because it commemorates birthdays of two men who greatly affected the African American community: Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). Negro History Week became Black History Week in the early 1970s. In 1976, the week-long observance was expanded to a month in honor of the nation's bicentennial.
We continue to celebrate this month every year knowing that our history is a reminder of our past and honoring to our bright and well ancestors.
2023 Events
***ADEI Certificate approved.
February 1
BLACK HISTORY MONTH KICK-OFF SPEAKER: DR. DAMON WILLIAMS
FEATURED PERFORMANCE BY LEE ENGLAND***
5-8 pm • Student Center Auditorium
February 2
DOCUMENTARY: PARIS IS BURNING***
Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, this 1990 documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it.
7 pm • Student Center Auditorium
February 3
LUNCH AND LEARN: BLACK WOMEN IN LAW***
Noon-1:30 pm • Student Center Kaskaskia Room
February 4
BLACK BUSINESS EXPO 2023
10 am-3 pm • Carbondale Civic Center
February 6
HIDDEN HEARTS IN CARBONDALE
5:08-7:52 pm • TBA
February 7
BLACK PAINTING NIGHT
6:30-7:30 pm • Student Center Mississippi Room
February 8
POETRY SLAM
6-7 pm • Student Center Big Muddy Room
February 9
IDA NELSON JETT HAWKINS LAW CROWN ACT***
4 pm • Morris Library Guyon Auditorium
ORATORICAL COMPETITION* (Cancelled)
6:06 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
February 10
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN CORPORATE AMERICA***
11:30 am-1 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
February 11
BLACK HEALTH WORKOUT
Noon • Trap Training Facility
Register Here
February 13
KATER 2 YOU
5:11 pm • Student Center Old Main Lounge
BLACK AND QUEER***
4:30-6 pm • Student Services Building 150/160
February 14
LUNCHEON BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT***
11 am-1 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
February 15
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: BLACK STUDENTS TRANSITIONING TO LAW SCHOOL***
11:30 am-1 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
VISION BOARDS RESILIENT BLACK INFLUENTIAL WOMEN
2-3:30 pm • Student Center Ohio Room
DISCUSSION: BLACK RESISTANCE***
6-7 pm • Student Center Mississippi Room
February 16
MOVIE: THE WOMAN KING
Set in the 1820’s, and follows the Agojie, an all female military regiment within the army of the Kingdom of Dahomey. Viola Davis plays Nanisca, a general who trains a new generation of female recruits to fight against rival tribes that threaten the kingdom.***
5-7 pm • Student Center Auditorium
February 17
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM: MEMPHIS, TN***
8 am-5 pm • Memphis, TN
Register Here
February 18
BLACK MEN HEALTH CONFERENCE
2 pm • Carbondale Civic Center
THE BLACK AS HELL SHOWCASE
7 pm • Christian H. Moe Theater
February 21
SPOKEN WORD: SEVEN THE POET***
6-8 pm • Student Center Auditorium
February 22
BLACK YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIPSERIES
11:30 am-1 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
LET’S TALK EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
4-6 pm • Morris Library Guyon Auditorium
February 23
BLACK STAFF AND FACULTY LUNCHEON
11:30 am-1:30 pm • Student Center Old Main Room
MAJORETTE CYPHER
5 pm • Student Center Delta Room
February 24
CANCELLED
February 25
NATIONAL TRIO DAY
10 am-2 pm • Olney, IL
Register Here
YOUNG AUTHOR’S BOOK READING
11 am-2 pm • University Mall
African American Museum
February 26
AFRO-CENTRIC FASHION SHOW***
2 pm • Student Center Auditorium
February 28
NAACP ANNUAL SCHOLAR BOWL
6-8 pm • Student Center Ballroom A