Monthlong Black History Month celebration includes food, film, scholarship and more
The university will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a diverse lineup of events to highlight the culture, contributions, creativity and legacy of the Black community. From a transcribe-a-thon honoring the work of Frederick Douglass and other Black scholars to a roundtable exploring the cultural impact of hip-hop, the programming aims to inspire and educate the campus and community.
The Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon is designed to give people from all backgrounds an opportunity to help make Black history more accessible and searchable.
"This year's Black History Month programming will showcase Black excellence in medicine, scholarship, literature, film, food and more," said Lehman Benson, vice president for Black advancement and engagement. "Through these events, we aim to educate and inspire the campus community and celebrate the profound accomplishments of the Black community."
The College of Humanities will kick off its celebration on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center's Kachina Lounge with "Reel and Feast: A Black History Month Celebration of Food, Film and Fun."
Lehman Benson, Vice President, Black Advancement and Engagement
"I wanted to use Africana foodways as a way to inspire joy and creativity, and ground ourselves in our history," said DeAnna Daniels, assistant professor of Africana studies and religious studies, who is coordinating the event. "It's meant to be like a family reunion celebrating Black life and Black culture."
The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a variety of food offerings, games and a screening of an episode of the Netflix series "High on the Hog," which examines how African American cuisine has shaped America.
Daniels also will be part of a hip-hop roundtable on Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. in the Union Kiva. The discussion will focus on "beefs, disses, grudges and rivalries" in hip-hop, and how they relate to the broader culture and community, she said.
DeAnna Daniels, Assistant Professor, Department of Africana Studies and Department of Religious Studies and Classics
"Hip-hop beefs are historical as well as contemporary," Daniels said. "Hip-hop became the force it is because young Black and brown people had a beef with the world about how their voices weren't heard. So the origins of the hip-hop culture have roots in dealing with beef in that particular kind of way."
In addition to Daniels, the roundtable will include Jerome Dotson, assistant professor in the Department of Africana Studies; Brett Esaki, assistant professor of practice in the Department of East Asian Studies; Alejandro Nava, professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Classics; and Tani Sanchez, professor of practice in the Department of Africana Studies. The event is free and open to the public.
University Libraries will host its annual Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the CATalyst Studios in Room B254 of the Main Library. The global event, which takes place in more than 100 locations around the world simultaneously, is designed to make archival and primary source material written by and about Black historical figures more accessible.
Participants will transcribe the "African American Perspectives Collection," held by the Library of Congress. The collection includes speeches, narratives and records of Black scholars and activists including Douglass, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Booker T. Washington.
In addition to the events, shirts and other products featuring the university's Black History Month cultural logo and related designs are available for purchase at the Campus Store and on the university's Amazon site and the Bear Down Shop, which is operated through Fanatics. A portion of the sales through the Campus Store, Amazon and Fanatics will go to African American Student Affairs to benefit students.
Products featuring the university's Black History Month cultural logo and related designs are available for purchase at the Campus Store and on the university's Amazon site and the Bear Down Shop, which is operated through Fanatics.
The list below highlights additional Black History Month events open to or involving faculty and staff. This list may not represent all programming that is planned. Events have been or will be posted on the University Calendar.
Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit | Saturday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | 5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa
During this event, presented in part by the College of Medicine – Phoenix, kindergarten through 12th grade students and their families can learn about health care careers by visiting with college representatives, connecting with working health care professionals and enjoying hands-on activities. Lunch will be provided.
Faculty Guest DJs on KXCI | Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, 5 p.m.
As part of an annual partnership with community radio station KXCI, professors from Africana Studies will be featured as guest DJs on "The Home Stretch."
- Feb. 7: Jerome Dotson
- Feb. 14: DeAnna Daniels
- Feb. 21: Tani Sanchez
- Feb. 28: Johnny Castro
Arizona Men's Basketball Black History Month Night | Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. | McKale Memorial Center
During the men's basketball game against Texas Tech, fans will have the opportunity to receive Black History Month rally towels and shirts. There will be a halftime performance by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a presentation about the University of Arizona Black Alumni scholarship program and a canned food drive benefiting the African American Student Affairs pop-up pantry in Room 207 of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center. The Tucson branch of the Buffalo Soldiers will be on hand to present colors.
Poetry Reading: Terrance Hayes | Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. | University of Arizona Poetry Center
This free event features Terrance Hayes, the author of seven poetry collections, an NAACP Image Award winner and MacArthur Fellow.
Arizona Women's Basketball Black History Month Night | Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. | McKale Memorial Center
A pregame reception with food from Black-owned caterer Cookin Wit Cort runs from 4-6 p.m. in the Jim Click Hall of Champions at the north end of McKale Memorial Center. During the women's basketball game against BYU, fans will have the opportunity to receive Black History Month rally towels and shirts. A Black History Month halftime performance is planned as well; details have not been finalized.
The Arizona Experience and Black/African American College Day | Saturday, Feb. 8, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Student Union Memorial Center
Prospective undergraduate students and their families can learn more about the University of Arizona's academics, financial aid, student services, housing and more. Participants can meet current students and hear from academic college representatives.
Poetry Reading: Niki Herd | Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. | University of Arizona Poetry Center
This free event is the annual Morgan Lucas Schuldt Memorial Reading, which features emerging and innovative poets. Herd is the author of three poetry collections and teaches at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania.
Black Heritage Table | Throughout February | Health Sciences Education Building, 435 N. Fifth St., Phoenix
The Student National Medical Association will create a large table display featuring Black leaders, history and facts pertaining to medicine. The display will be on the second floor of the Health Sciences Education Building.
Other events in February relating to Black history and heritage are listed below.
School of Art VASE Lecture: Rujeko Hockley | Monday, Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. | Center for Creative Photography
Rujeko Hockley, curator at the Whitney Museum in New York, will discuss her work in this free Visiting Artists and Scholars Endowment talk.
LOVERULES, From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation | University of Arizona Museum of Art
The exhibition, which runs through June 21, features 90 works of art by contemporary artist Hank Willis Thomas. The work highlights themes including social history and the battle for equality in platforms including journalism, photography, advertising and popular culture.