Black History Month at Castleton University
Castleton’s NAACP Student Chapter is hosting a variety of Black History Month events in partnership with the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements in society, culture, and U.S. history by Black Americans. Recognizing that Black Americans' accomplishments were often left out of American history, Harvard-trained Historian Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse E. Moorland created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. Its purpose was to research and promote the achievements of Black Americans and other peoples of African descent. More than a decade later, Woodson’s group sponsored the first Black History Week, picking the month of February to honor Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays.
President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976. He asked the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, the sitting U.S. President has designated February as Black History Month. Each year, Black History Month has a theme. The 2022 theme is “Black Health and Wellness.”
Black History Month Schedule
Joyful Fridays: The Black Panthers
Friday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. • Virtual
This is a free online event hosted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture and is designed for families with kids. Learn how the Black Panther Party contributed to the health and wellness of their communities.
History Alive! Coming Home: African Americans Returning from World War II
Monday, Feb. 7, 1-2 p.m. • Virtual
Coming Home explores stories and artifacts that reflect the economy, health care, education, housing, and political process for military veterans in the aftermath of WWII.
Virtual Seminar: Black Joy with Professor Oladapo
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 12:30 p.m. • Virtual
Professor Jessica Oladapo will be offering a virtual seminar called Black Joy and meeting with NAACP student club members. Jessica Olapado is a Professor of Sociology and Psychology at Kankakee Community College and provides training sessions focused on identity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship at Diversity 2 Inclusion.
Black Film Series: Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. • Jeffords Center Auditorium
Watch "Hale County This Morning, This Evening," a documentary film on Black lives in the rural south, followed by dinner coordinated with Sodexo featuring cuisine from across the world.
Virtual Dance Class with Jamal Josef
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 12 p.m. • Virtual
Take a virtual Dance Class to learn the latest and most popular TikTok dance moves with celebrity Choreographer and Dancer Jamal Josef.
Black History Month Book Expo
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 12:30 p.m. • 1787 Room, Campus Center
Drop in to learn about powerful, recent books about the Black experience, Black history, and anti-racism work. Books will be on display to peruse and check out, and participants will have an opportunity to share informally about books they have read. Throughout the month, you can peruse a list of relevant books in the library to check out, and educate yourself with resources curated by Castleton librarians on our Race Matters guide. Light refreshments will be served.
Black History Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 5-6:30 p.m. • Campus Center
Learn about Black history from different stations designed to provide interactive engagement of different eras and experiences in history.
Critical Race Theory Seminar with Professor Robinson
Thursday, Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m. • Virtual
Professor Angela Robinson will be offering a virtual seminar about Critical Race Theory and meeting with NAACP student club members. Judge Angela C. Robinson (Ret.) is a Visiting Professor and a Waring and Carmen Partridge Faculty Fellow at Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she teaches Evidence and Critical Race Theory.
Black Lives Matter Flag Discussion and Mixer
Friday, February 25 • TBD
Please join members of the NAACP student group and the Castleton and greater community for an oral history and discussion of the events surrounding the Black Lives Matter flag raising at Castleton University. The original flag will be archived but first displayed on campus along with details on its history.