Black History Month

Southern Connecticut State University Celebrates Black History Month 2023

Events

   
Commemorating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Wednesday, February 1st @ 12:30PM
ASC Ballroom

Join us for an original, thought-provoking, and intimate interpretation of the complex human side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is not imitation and impersonation, but an authentic portrayal that will connect all generations to the mission, legacy, and humanity of the civil and human rights leader. Live performances by Southern students and special guests. Audience talkback with the playwright and actor follows the performance.


Buley Library’s Black History Month Exhibit (Physical & Virtual)
Wednesday, February 1-28 @ Buley Library
Buley Library, 1st Floor Display Case and Online
During library open hours, virtual display is available 24/7.

In light of growing numbers of Americans with multiracial identities, this exhibit highlights and celebrates Black multiracial individuals and identities in American history.


Virtual Viewing: “Brother Outsider -- The Life of Bayard Rustin”
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2023 @ 6:30PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID:978 201 7271

Come join us for a virtual viewing of “Brother Outsider!”Bayard Rustin — a visionary strategist and activist who has been called “the unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. A disciple of Gandhi, a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin dared to live as an out gay man during the fiercely homophobic 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. “Brother Outsider” chronicles Rustin's activism for racial and economic justice, peace, and equality for LGBTQ Americans while illuminating why he has been erased from history. After the movie we will talk about the intersectionality of Black and queer identities alongside Dr. Laurie Bonjo as well as some of our doctoral students!


My Afro Hair, My True Identity
Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 @ 12:00PM
ASC Theater

Join us for a dynamic haircare event with an educational purpose of sharing helpful tips on how to grow and care for Afro hair. Jane Ezuruike, author, writer, and motivational speaker will facilitate the event. You will not want to miss this interactive lunch and learn session. Enjoy light refreshments as she discusses a healthier way to grow and care for your hair.


Get Yourself Tested and Ask the Provider
Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 @ 12-2pm
Health Services at Granoff Hall

Join us between 12-2pm in Health Services to get tested for STDs. Information will be distributed about HIV and STD prevention and disparities in the Black community.


Black History Month Luncheon
Wednesday, February 8th @ 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Connecticut Hall Celebrate the essence of Black culture with delicious cuisines. Learn about the history and origins of the amazing dishes. Listen to a wide variety of music celebrating Black history and enjoy a special lunch for all students, staff, and faculty.


Spike Lee Film Series: “School Daze”
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 @ 3:00-6:00PM
ASC Theater

Get ready for Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike’s Lee’s campus lecture in May! “School Daze” is a 1988 American musical comedy-drama film, written and directed by Spike Lee, about undergraduates in a fraternity and sorority clashing with some of their classmates at a historically Black college during homecoming weekend. Talk-back with History Professor Siobhan Carter-David following the screening.


A Liberation Speaker Series: Olivia Ngadjui
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 @ 5:00PM -6:30PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID:978 201 7271

Dr. Olivia T. Ngadjui, (she/her/hers) PhD, NCC, LPC (ID) is an assistant professor of counselor education and counseling psychology at Western Michigan University. Dr. Ngadjui received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education from Idaho State University. She will be presenting on her earlier research on inclusive professional identity development entitled "Shaking Up The Room: The Process of Professional Identity Development of Black Doctoral Students in Counselor Education."This research was nationally funded by ACES and AADA.The presentation will be followed by an engaging question and answer session with Dr. Ngadjui.


Being a “Diversity Hire”
Wednesday, February 8th @ 6PM
Buley 102 Conference Room

Dive deep into the phrase “diversity hire” as you look for jobs in the future!


Love Your Hair
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 @ 9:30 PM
North Campus Midrise Lobby

Join RA’s Madison, Quentin, and Nikki to learn more about the Black community’s fight with hair.You will be able to learn about the history of the issues and the present-day resolution.There will be hair products given out that will include but will not be limited to products specific to the Black community.


Black History Month Game Night
Thursday, February 9th, 2023 @ 5:30PM -7:30PM
Adanti Student Center 234

Celebrate Black History Month by playing fun and traditional games inspired by Black culture. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.


Virtual Viewing: “An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King”
Thursday, February 9th, 2023 @ 6:30PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID:978 201 7271

This event will be a viewing and discussion of the documentary on the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the documentary, Dr. Pepper reveals truths about the assassination. Explore never-before-heard details about what happened to King on the day of his death, revealing the true story of the plot to kill Dr. King. The documentary will be followed by an engaging discussion with Dr. Bonjo.


Heart Disease and Health Disparities
Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 @ 11-1pm
ASC Student Center Food Court

Get information related to heart health and how to address disparities in the Black community. Blood pressure screenings will be provided. Basic AED education will be provided as well as information on Narcan and general safety.


Spike Lee Film Series: “Do the Right Thing”
Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 @ 12:30-3:30PM
ASC Ballroom

Get ready for Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike’s Lee’s campus lecture in May! “Do the Right Thing” is a 1989 American comedy-drama film produced, written, and directed by Spike Lee. The story explores a Brooklyn neighborhood's simmering racial tension between its African-American residents and the Italian-American owners of a local pizzeria, culminating in tragedy and violence on a hot summer day. Talk-back with History Professor Siobhan Carter-David following the screening.


Dr. Ruth R. Martin Celebration
Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 @ 5:00 -6:3030PM
Join Zoom Meeting

Please join us for a celebration of Dr. Ruth R. Martin and her new book “Beatrice’s Ledger: Coming of Age in the Jim Crow South.


HIDDEN KOLORS: A Celebration of African American Culture
Wednesday, February 15th @ 7:30PM
Adanti Student Center Ballroom

Join us for a night of cultural entertainment as the Divine Nine stroll and highlight their contributions to Black history. Listen to inspirational words from guest speakers and learn about the contributions of many African American Greeks.


Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Damar Hamlin and Preventing Sudden Death in Sports
Wednesday, February 22nd @ 2:30pm - 4:30 PM
HHS 112 A & B
Faculty members from the College of Health & Human Services will present information about preventing sudden death in sport from the perspective of the athletic trainer and primary care nurse. Adria Giordano and Neil Como from the American Heart Association will be on site to demonstrate Hands-Only CPR as a part of Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeartTM CPR Challenge and AHA’s American Heart Month.


Black Men in Careers: Panel Discussion
Wednesday, February 22nd @ 6pm
Virtual Event

Join us as we connect with Black men in various industries to have a discussion on race, identities, and careers.


Spike Lee Film Series: “BlacKkKlansman”
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 @ 5:00-8:00PM
ASC Theater

Get ready for Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike’s Lee’s campus lecture in May! “BlacKkKlansman” is a 2018 American biographical black comedy crime thriller film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Spike Lee. Based on the 2014 memoir Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth, the film is set in 1970s Colorado and follows the first African-American detective in the city's police department as he sets out to infiltrate and expose the local Ku Klux Klan chapter. Talk-back with History Professor Siobhan Carter-David following the screening.


I Have a Dream
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 @ 7:30 PM
North Campus Midrise Lobby

Join RAs Wil, Siddhi, Tapiwa and Demarr in talking about goal setting and ambitions set in the context around Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.Participants will be able to create a vision board and set some foundations for their future.


Do You Know Your Black History?
February 24th, 2023 @ 5:00-6:00PM
North Campus Midrise Lobby

Join RA’s Nilah, Joe, Miranda, and Zaria in Black history bingo! There will be a limited amount of food and prizes.


Honoring Black Leaders of the Disability Movement
Monday, February 27th, 2023
Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services & the Multicultural Center Instagram Page

Learn about influential figures in the disability movement.


Heritage Ball
Thursday, March 9th @ 7:30PM
Adanti Student Center Ballroom

Join the SCSU ethnic organizations for a night of elegance as they come together to celebrate their cultures and heritages, and to honor legendary figures from the past and present. AWARDS CEREMONY - Prizes Awarded for Mr. & Mrs. Heritage Ball • DINNER WILL BE SERVED • CULTURAL PERFORMANCES • ENTERTAINMENT • ALL ARE WELCOME! Sponsored by the African Student Association, Black Student Union, Multicultural Center, BROSE, S.I.S.T.A.S, Organization of Latin American Students, the Asian Cultural Association, and the Caribbean Student Association.


Additional Programming

A Liberation Speaker Series:Out of the Margins: Occupying Counseling Research with Minoritized Identities

Out of the Margins: Occupying Counseling Research with Underrepresented Identities (A Liberation Speaker Series) is simply people who occupy intersectional statuses at risk for marginalization and who are counselor educators/counselor educators-in-training. These individuals will lead us in an engaging conversation related to the research they are doing on identities that are at risk for oppression within counseling and counselor education.

Dates: Various Dates (2/8/23, 3/9/23, 4/25/23)
Time: 5:00pm
Platform:Event will be held via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID:978 201 7271

Sponsors

  • Aavo Rakfeldt Memorial Lecture
  • Africana Studies Program
  • Buley Library
  • Campus Police
  • Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services
  • Counseling and School Psychology Social Justice Committee
  • Office of Career and Professional Development
  • Department of History
  • Department of Residence Life
  • Department of Social Work
  • The Greater New Haven African American Historical Society (GNHAAHS)
  • Health Services
  • Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Office of Integrated Communications & Marketing
  • SCSU Multicultural Center
  • SCSU Multicultural Organizations
  • Southern’s Dining Services
  • Women’s & Gender Studies