Black History Month

Black History Month - Black, Bold, and Briliant

Celebrate the spectacular lives, amazing accomplishments, and historic contributions of Black people in the United States.
February 1 - March 1, 2025

 

Events are open to anyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, and sex.

Calendar of Events

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: New Orleans Songbook

  • Saturday, February 1, 2025
  • 8 p.m.
  • Luckman Theatre

Jazz at Lincoln Center brings the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to this amazing evening, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City, the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration.  Led by pianist Luther S. Allison and vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.

Organized by: Luckman Fine Arts Complex

Black History Month Kick-Off Event

Black History Month Kick-Off

  • Monday, February 3, 2025
  • 5-7 p.m.
  • Golden Eagle Ballroom

The opening event to the celebration of Black History at Cal State LA.

Organized by: Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Do You Know Your History?

  • Tuesday, February 4, 2025
  • 12-30 - 2 p.m.
  • Pan African Student Resource Center

"Do You Know Your History?" is an engaging and interactive event designed to educate students about prominent Black figures and Black history beyond the transatlantic slave system. The event will feature games like Jeopardy and other interactive activities to make learning fun and empowering. We will provide free snacks, drinks, and music to create a lively and inclusive atmosphere.

Organized by: Cross Cultural Centers

 3rd Annual C.R.D. Halisi Black History Month Indaba 1, 2025

Join the Department of Pan-African Studies for a Black History Month talk on "Black LA and the Black Student Movement, 1960s-1970s." This talk will explore the role of Black Student Activism in 1960s-1970s Los Angeles, highlighting key figures, events, ideas and organizations that shaped the fight for Black freedom, civil rights and educational equity that culminated in the birth of academic units such as Pan-African Studies at Cal State LA, Africana Studies, African and African-American Studies and Black Studies at other campuses. 

Organized by: Department of Pan African Studies

Untold Stories

  • Thursday, February 6, 2025
  • 12-30 - 2 p.m.
  • Chicanx/Latinx Student Resource Center
In collaboration with the CLSRC the PASRC will be hosting an intimate discussion-based event discussing the history, contributions, and challenges of Afro-Latinx communities. This program strives to increase awareness of Afro-Latinx identity and encourage dialogue on how African and Latinx cultures intersect and influence each other.

Organized by: Cross Cultural Centers

Black Faculty Retreat

  • Friday, February 7, 2025
  • 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Student Services Building (SSB), Conference Room 7115
The Black Faculty Retreat is an opportunity for faculty to check in with each other, celebrate accomplishments, and support development as faculty at Cal State LA. We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Isis Stansberry, Associate Dean of Community Care, who will give a guest presentation on student care.
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RSVP BY NOON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, TO KIMBERLY FRANKLIN

Organized by: Kimberly Franklin, Porschia Nkansa, and Tasha Willis; Interim Vice Provost Karin Elliott Brown

Dating While Black, Part 2

  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025
  • 2 - 4 p.m.
  • Pan African Student Resource Center
This event will explore the unique experiences and challenges of dating while being Black. We will discuss the cultural, social, and personal aspects of dating within the Black community. Topics may include navigating stereotypes, celebrating Black love, and fostering healthy relationships. This event aims to create a supportive space for open dialogue and shared experiences.

Organized by: Cross Cultural Centers

The Barbershop Talks

  • Wednesday, February 12, 2025
  • 2 - 3 p.m.
  • In-Person, Pan African Student Resource Center
The Black Barbershop is a cornerstone in the Black community. This is a space for Black men and will center Black thought, existence, and persistence.

Organized by: Special Education & Counseling and Pan African Studies

Black Student Debate

  • Saturday, February 15, 2025
  • 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • University-Student Union Theater


The BSU College Debate is an exciting event where we will host students from various colleges to engage in debates on a range of important topics. This event aims to foster critical thinking, public speaking skills, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. We will create a stimulating and inclusive atmosphere for all participants and attendees.
 

Organized by: Cross Cultural Centers and the Black Student Union

Afrique en Cirque

  • Sunday, February 16, 2025
  • 6 p.m.
  • Luckman Theatre

Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, and Cavalia alum Yamoussa Bangoura’s Cirque Kalabanté presents Afrique en Cirque. Energy, strength, agility, and joy come together in gravity-defying and awe-inspiring acts. The performance will include live Afro-jazz, percussion, and kora musical accompaniment.

Organized by: Luckman Fine Arts Complex

 3rd Annual C.R.D. Halisi Black History Month Indaba 2, 2025

Welcome to the 3rd Annual C.R.D. Halisi Black History Month Indaba 2, 2025 on "Contemporary Pan-Africanism". This indaba explores the enduring prevalence and of Pan-Africanism in the 21st century, featuring Pan-Africanist scholars and educational leaders whose work and leadership exemplify how Pan-Africanism continues to evolve and address the various issues that Black/African people face globally.

Black Alumni Network Mixer and Dinner

Black Alumni Network Mixer

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025
  • 6-8 p.m.
  • Golden Eagle Ballrooms

Join us for our annual Black Alumni Network gathering! This year’s event will feature a Black historical experience dinner, exploring American history through recipes and dishes crafted by enslaved chefs. Chef Martin Draluck, founder of the Black Pot Supper Club and featured on the first season of Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, will curate the menu and lead the evening. This event is open to alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. Advance registration is required. Click here to learn more and register.

Organized by: Alumni Association

Paint N Sip Extravaganza

Paint 'N Sip Extravaganza

  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025
  • 2 - 4 p.m.
  • Main Walkway (Near Gym Grassy Area),

Hey, Art Enthusiasts!!!

Join Us for a Vibrant Black History Month Paint N Sip Event!

Get ready to unleash your creativity at our Black History Month Paint N Sip Extravaganza! Join us for an afternoon filled with art, relaxation, refreshments, and community.

Organized by: New Student and Family Engagement and EOP

 3rd Annual C.R.D. Halisi Black History Month Indaba 3, 2025

5/19/2025 is Malcolm X's centennial birthday and the conversation on "Malcolm X: Sankofa, Black Power and Pan-Africanism" will be our way of paying tribute to the life and legacy of a great ancestor and his enduring impact on the worldwide Black struggle for self-determination. 5/19/2025 is Malcolm X's centennial birthday, and the conversation on "Malcolm X: Sankofa, Black Power, and Pan-Africanism" will be our way of paying tribute to the life and legacy of a great ancestor and his enduring impact on the worldwide Black struggle for self-determination.

The Barbershop Talks

  • Wednesday, February 26, 2025
  • 2 - 3 p.m.
  • In-Person, Pan African Student Resource Center
The Black Barbershop is a cornerstone in the Black community. This is a space for Black men and will center Black thought, existence, and persistence.

Organized by: Special Education & Counseling and Pan African Studies