California State University, Bakersfield is celebrating Black History Month by holding several events throughout February.
On Monday, Feb. 3, a kickoff event will be held at noon in the Student Union Multipurpose Room. The event will include food, music, games and messages from student leaders and Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Support Dr. Dwayne Cantrell.
For the first time this year, the Public History Institute (PHI) is offering a free field trip to the Historic Union Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Feb. 15 in conjunction with Black History Month. California State Parks Great Basin District Interpretive Program Manager Lori Wear will provide a one-hour tour of the cemetery, which recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of Kern County’s African American pioneers.
“It will give participants insights into the rich history of the African American community in Bakersfield and a new appreciation of their contributions to our city,” said PHI Director Dr. Miriam Vivian. “We are fortunate to have CSUB alumna Lori Wear to lead this tour. She brings a vast knowledge of Bakersfield history and its most influential citizens. The roughly one-hour tour is a wonderful educational opportunity for our campus and the community, and I’m confident that those joining us will find it rewarding.”
Black Faculty and Staff Association Co-Chair Darius Riggins hopes this month’s events will encourage students to think about what they have in common with each other, rather than focusing on their differences.
“When we are afforded the opportunity to learn about and from each other, we are able to better understand the commonalities of life that we have instead of the divisions that keeps persons apart,” he said. “When I know who I am and can appreciate and love myself, I then can appreciate who others are and the value they bring to the world as well.”
Here are the other major events being held on campus as part of Black History Month, in collaboration with partners including the African Student Association, Black Student Union, Associated Students Inc., Excel Scholars, Club RISE, Campus Programming and the Kegley Institute of Ethics.
Feb. 7: Unity Breakfast, 7 a.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Feb. 8: Fatherhood Awards Breakfast, 9 a.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Feb. 11: Excel Scholars Canvas of Culture, 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room.
Feb. 13: Dr Shree Walker: “Resiliency: The Power of One,” 12 p.m. in the Walter W. Stiern Library Dezember Reading Room.
Feb. 15: Public History Institute Field Trip, 10 a.m. at the Historic Union Cemetery, 730 Potomac Ave.
Feb. 19: Famous Black Firsts presented by Darius Riggins, 1 p.m. in Dorothy Donahue Hall Room 103H.
Feb. 21: Cuts and Conversations with Excel Scholars and Club RISE, 1 p.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room.
Feb. 26: Brown Bag Discussion: “Flourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow” with Dr. Nyakundi Michieka, 12 pm in the Stockdale Room.
Feb. 27: Nourish and Nurture: A Black Wellness Gathering, 12 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center Wellness Suite.
Feb. 28: Expression Nights with Divine 9, 6 p.m. in the Stockdale Room.
Visit CSUB’s Black History Month website for more information about this year’s celebration.
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