Black History Month to be celebrated through discussion, performance and film
Arizona Athletics will hold Black History Month celebrations during the men's basketball game on Feb. 5 and the women's basketball game on Feb. 13.
The University of Arizona community will celebrate Black History Month with a lineup of in-person and virtual events including traditional African dance performances, guest speakers and a talk on the influence of hip-hop in Black culture.
The university will share Black student profiles on its social media channels throughout February, and Arizona Athletics is featuring historical pictures of Black student-athletes and coaches as well as video interviews with current Black coaches on its Black History Month page.
Again this year, several products featuring a cultural logo made up of graphic icons representing Black innovations in the arts and sciences and symbols of Black community and activism will be available at the BookStores and on the university's Amazon site. A portion of the sales from both sites will go to African American Student Affairs to benefit students.
The University created this cultural logo for Black History Month.
As part of its Tucson Humanities Festival, the College of Humanities will present multiple talks celebrating Black History Month.
Find more information about those talks and other upcoming events below.
God, Soul Food and Superheroes | Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. | University of Arizona Poetry Center, Dorothy Rubel Room
Artist, activist and entrepreneur Therosia Reynolds will speak about her latest multimedia projects and the inspiration behind them. Reynolds is a visual, spoken word and vocal artist whose work centers on themes of hope, love and overcoming inequality. This event is part of the College of Humanities Tucson Humanities Festival. Livestream of "God, Soul Food and Superheroes."
African American Student Affairs Black History Month Kickoff: 'Girls Trip' | Friday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. | The Loft Cinema
This open-air screening is free and open to the public; all attendees will need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Visit The Loft Cinema website for more information about the film.
(From left) Students Alayna Johnson, Dante Smith and Simone Overbeck model merchandise bearing the cultural logo created for Black History Month.
Men's Basketball vs. USC | Saturday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m. | McKale Memorial Center
The game will feature video interviews with Black student-athletes and, at halftime, a traditional African dance and drums performance by the Barbea Williams Performing Company.
Sex Work on Campus – A Conversation With Dr. Terah J. Stewart | Tuesday, Feb. 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Building, Room 209, or listen to this talk on Zoom.
Women's Basketball vs. Arizona State | Sunday, Feb. 13, noon | McKale Memorial Center
The game will feature video interviews with Black student-athletes and, at halftime, a traditional African dance and drums performance by the Barbea Williams Performing Company.
African American Student Affairs: MOCA & Sista Chat Collab | Tuesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Building, Room 209
Sista Chat – AASA's program to retain and graduate women of color at the university – and MOCA, or Men of Color at UA, will come together for a roundtable-style discussion.
Sitting on Zora's Porch: Notes from a Black Girl in the Hip Hop South | Tuesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. | University of Arizona Poetry Center, Dorothy Rubel Room
Regina Bradley, associate professor of English and African diaspora studies at Kennesaw State University, discusses her personal experiences growing up in the South, and the influence of hip-hop. This event is part of the College of Humanities Tucson Humanities Festival. Livestream of "Sitting on Zora's Porch."
Listening to Other Voices | Thursday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 18
Presented by the College of Humanities World Literature Studies Program, "Listening to Other Voices" features two days of lectures and workshops celebrating books and authors from around the world. See the event website for details and locations.
Speaker: Monica Jones | Thursday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Building, Room 209
Monica Jones is a sex work activist who has campaigned against police sting operations against sex workers. Hosted by the College of Education, Jones' session will engage undergraduate and graduate students in imagining what it means to build safety for trans women, especially trans women of color. This event is open to students; lunch will be provided.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Friday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. | Rialto Theatre
For 60 years, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo has entertained audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. This performance is presented by Arizona Arts Live and the Rialto Theatre. Visit Arizona Arts Live to buy tickets.
African American Student Affairs Block Party | Monday, Feb. 28, 5-7 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Building, parking lot
The Block Party is AASA's annual Black History Month celebration, featuring free food, music and performances by Black artists. The event is free and open to the public.
