California State University, Bakersfield is celebrating Black History Month with several events being held throughout February.
The celebration begins on Feb. 1 with a kickoff event being held by the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA), which will include words from Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Dwayne Cantrell as well as student leaders from the African Student Association (ASA) and Black Student Union (BSU).
Later that evening, the university will hold its annual Gospel Fest in the Dorè Theatre.
“I am always overjoyed when Black History Month comes around,” said BFSA Co-Chair Tamar Anthony. “To me, we should honor Black history every month. Most of us do when we individually take the time to love, support, encourage and respect each other. These are the principles of those who historically contributed to the Black culture.”
Other highlights of the celebration include the Unity Breakfast on Feb. 3, during which Unity Awards will be presented to a member of the campus community for their contributions in promoting diversity.
The event will also feature a keynote address from Dr. Markel Quarles, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Student Services.
In addition to specific events, the Walter W. Stiern Library will have a Black Contemporary American Artist virtual display that will be available to view throughout the entire month of February.
Besides CSUB staff and faculty, student leaders from the BSU and ASA are also involved in organizing some of the events on tap next month, including a Call to Resilience workshop on Feb. 8 and the BSU BASH on Feb. 18.
“I am beyond excited to celebrate Black History Month with everyone on campus and show Black pride and love! This month allows us to unapologetically showcase Black pride, culture, and beauty,” said ASA President Chidinma Okey-Dike.
Makaila Clay, a biology major and social media strategist for the BSU, said she appreciates how this year’s theme — “Black to Action” — focuses on being proactive.
“Black History Month is meant not only to acknowledge the past and how far we have come but to [show] how far we can go!” she said. “Black to Action, to me, evokes the leaders and authority that will elevate the Black community here on campus as well as the community around us by encouraging unity among ourselves and our allies.”
Here are all the major events being held on campus this February as part of Black History Month, in collaboration with partners such as Campus Programming, Enrollment Management and the Division of Equity, Inclusion and Compliance.
Feb. 1: Black History Month Kickoff, 11:30 a.m. at Student Union Patio; Gospel Fest, 6 p.m. in the Dorè Theatre.
Feb. 3: Unity Breakfast, 7 a.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Feb. 6: “20 Things to Know About Black History” by Darius Riggins, 12 p.m. via Zoom.
Feb. 7: Teacher Read Aloud: “The Year We Learned to Fly,” by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Shaylyn Marks, 4 p.m. via Zoom.
Feb. 8: A Call to Social Resilience panel, 11 a.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room.
Feb. 10: Read Aloud of “We All Belong” and Children’s Center tour by ASA and BSU, 10 a.m. in the Walter W. Stiern Library’s Dezember Reading Room.
Feb. 12: BFSA Goes to Church, 10 a.m. at Living Victory Church, 7737 Meaney Ave.
Feb. 15: Afrocentric Zumba, 11 a.m. at the Student Union Patio.
Feb. 16: Brown Bag Discussion, 12 p.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Feb. 18: BSU BASH: Building on African American Strength and Knowledge, 10 a.m. in Humanities Building Rooms 1107-1109.
Feb. 21: Presentation and Discussion: “Did We Win? Damar Hamlin: The Injury That Shocked the World” by Chalandra Polk, 12 p.m. via Zoom.
Feb. 24: Discussion on Incarceration and Higher Education, 5 p.m. in the Dezember Reading Room.
Feb. 28: Food for the Soul, 5:30 p.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Click here for more information about this year’s Black History Month events.
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