Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa

Thursday, Feb. 1
Da Riddum: A CULTURE x OMSA Dancehall
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Commonwealth Ballrooms, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
A dynamic celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring spontaneous dance and flavorful cuisine.

Tuesday, Feb. 13
The Erotic: A Black & Queer Supper
4:15 – 6 p.m., Richmond Salons I/II, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
Connect with Black & queer peers, through a menu of introspective questions and Jamaican cuisine! Attendees will connect with one another over guided conversation, and thereby tap into Audre Lorde's concept of "the erotic," which she describes as a source of joy, empowerment, and knowledge.

Wednesday, Feb. 14
Black 'n' Black Mixer
4:30 – 6 p.m. | Commonwealth Ballrooms, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
A mixer for Black faculty, staff, and students.

Thursday, Feb. 15
Sweetly In Love with Thee Hotties
6 – 7:30 p.m. | Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215

Friday, Feb. 16
NAACP Inaugural Charity Ball - A Night in Diaspora
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Virginia Rooms A-D, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
As a part of our Founder’s Week activities, we will be hosting our inaugural charity ball. The theme is “A Night In Diaspora” to celebrate different cultures around the world represented at VCU. We will be raising money through ticket sales for the Central VA Legal Aid Society which helps raise legal funds for those in need. We will be having catered food, raffles, awards, and a guest speaker, Sylvia Jones, Director of Advocacy of the Central VA Legal Aid Society. The ball dress code is formal or traditional clothing from one’s culture.

Saturday, Feb. 17
Freedom through Flight: Honoring Black History through Birdwatching
7:30 – 10 a.m. | Ancarrow's Landing

Wednesday, Feb. 21
AfroLatinidad at VCU
Noon – 12:50 p.m. | Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215
Black History Month is a perfect opportunity to be reminded of the complex, multi-layered, and diverse nature of the Black experience in the United States. Afro-Latine people, with their unique voices and perspectives, are an essential and vibrant group in the makeup of the Hispanic and Black American identity. From artists to social innovators, from performers to musicians, from cultural icons to scholars: ¡Pa'lante!

Vibe Check
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | College of Health Professions, Room 1075
This mixer is intended to cultivate a safe space and community where students who identify as persons of color are able to discuss their own experiences, challenges and issues that they confront as health sciences students.

EmpowerED: Discussion on Men of Color in Education
5:30 – 7 p.m. | Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215
College of Health Professions. The mixer is intended to cultivate a safe space and community where students who identify as persons of color are able to discuss their own experiences, challenges, and issues that they confront as people and students of color.

Tuesday, Feb. 27
Black and Abroad - Global Citizenship
5 – 7 p.m. | SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
A panel discussion exploring the nuances of global citizenship and international travel for Black students, followed by a social hour.