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Black History Month

2023 EVENTS

The theme for Black History Month in 2023 is "Streaming Blackness: Now and Forever." The commemoration of Black History should not and will not be limited to a single month. We celebrate, honor, and own our authentic Blackness through a variety of events and activities.

Inviting you to engage in the multiplicity of identities and passions reflected throughout the Black and Pan-African diaspora. "Streaming Blackness: Now and Forever" inspires Us to love, create, resist and most importantly be in community with one another. By airing these shows (programs), we hope to proudly feature the many facets of the diaspora's past, present, and the contributions of Our unsung heroes.

January 28 - Harambee - Black History Month Kickoff Celebration

Swahili for "pull together", Harambee" is used as a rallying cry in Kenya for coming together and gathering resources. Harambee kicks off Black History Month with performances and dinner for all to enjoy. Sponsored by: For Members Only (FMO) and Multicultural Student Affairs

February 1 - Seeing the Vision: Vision Board Creation

“OOOOHH SNAP!!!” in my Raven Baxter voice… February is here! January was a reflection month. It’s never too late to set intentions, dream, or see the vision.  Let’s create vision boards! Supplies and light snacks will be provided.  Feel free to bring items that you may want to incorporate on your board.  

Every Friday in February (starting Feb 3rd) - Spirituality Reading Series: Rest is Resitance: A Manifesto

In collaboration with Northwestern Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, we invite you to Rest & Renew this quarter as Rev. D'ana Downing and Gerpha Gerlin (MSA GA) engage with Tricia Hersey’s text, Rest is Resistance. Let us lean into rest, and Hersey’s own influences from Womanist (theology) and Afrofuturist thought; as it informs the practice of prioritizing rest as “resistance” and “reparations.” 

Book club sessions start February 3rd.   

 February 7 - Black Imagination is Liberation: Dream and Doodle Session

“Dreaming can bring liberation— and liberation rather than justice, can be the aim.” says Alma Alma in their essay “History As Imagination: Black Dreaming As Liberation”. With art supplies and puzzles, we invite you to a Dream and Doodle session. Want to make a friend? Do not disturb mode? Come through and catch a vibe. Snacks provided.  

February 8 - Trans + Queer Resistance to Policing: A Workshop with Benji Hart

We're excited to be bringing Benji Hart to NU in collaboration with the Department of African American Studies, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Multicultural Student Affairs, the Out Network, and CARE as a part of the Women's Center quarterly trans centered programming and Black History/Futures Month!  

 This workshop introduces the idea of police and prison abolition through an examination of the long legacy of queer and trans resistance to policing—and can also serve as a trans 101 for groups still becoming versed in topics of gender identity. After first breaking down who, how, and why the policing system targets specific communities, participants examine a timeline of queer and trans history, adding to it their own experiences and knowledge. The workshop culminates with brainstorming concrete action steps for creating a world without police and prisons, relying on trans and queer history as a guide for that imagining.  

February 9th and 23rd - Throwback Thursday(s)

On February 9th and February 23rd, we are taking it back with two hit television Black sitcoms. Can you guess what they are? Snacks Provided! 

Hint One: “Dyn-O-Mite!” 

Hint Two: Chicago’s very own Lena Waithe named their production and development company after this fictitious historically Black college (HBCUs).  

February 12 - On Sundays We Brunch: Rest, Recipies and Remedies

Good music, good people, and good food = a perfect Sunday. From Afrobeats to Soca to Dancehall, we center and celebrate our African and Caribbean cultures. Register to enjoy brunch on us (while supplies last).  Come dress to impress and rep your country!  

February 14 - Sistas, Succulents and Sweets

“My girlfriendsss 

There through thick and thin 
My girlfriendssss 
There for anything 
My girlfriendssss” 

Centering the Black womxn experience at Northwestern, it’s time to mix and mingle with sweet desserts and R&B. We will engage in dialogue around topics surrounding identity. Blackness and gender, intersectionality, class, pleasure and sexual identity just to name a few..  

Hope to see you there! Let’s flourish together! Come in your flyest earth tones (shades of brown, green, etc.)   

February 16 - Association of Black Leaders Bingo Family Night

The Association of Black Leaders’ (ABL) mission is to promote, celebrate, and cultivate excellence within Northwestern University Black student organization leadership and beyond. Through the dissemination of valuable information, critical critique, and innovative brainstorming, ABL is a space for Black student leaders to thrive as a community. We honor our courageous ancestors. We stand alongside our Black colleagues in the present. We push unapologetically toward a bright future. 

For our February ABL meeting, we are calling all NU executive board members affiliated with Black registered student organizations for Family Night. Enjoy dinner and a friendly competition of Black History Month (Leadership Edition) Bingo! See you in The Black House!  

February 17 - Garifuna in the African Diaspora: A Listening Podcast Session

Stop by the Reflection Lounge in The Black House on Friday, Feb. 17 from 1-2pm to listen with others to a "Dialogues in Afrolatinidad" podcast episode focused on centering Garifuna life and culture. Dr. Paul Joseph Lopez Oro is interviewed by Dr. Michele Reid-Vazquez to discuss Indigenous Blackness, Central American and Caribbean geographies, Garifuna migration, diaspora, visual archives, queerness, and more. There will be snacks provided and conversation to follow for anyone interested.  

If you can't make it, we encourage folks to still take a moment to check out and listen to the podcast. 

February 21 - What's Poppin; A professional development programming series

What's Poppin? is a bimonthly programming series highlighting Black Northwestern staff, faculty, and graduate/professional students' journey(s) and understanding of their role at the university.  Through storytelling and casual dialogue, this program is a cornerstone for cultivating relationships within the Black Northwestern community. In addition to meaningful conversations, participants will enjoy unique flavored popcorn from a local Chicago business. 

Norvell Watts of the Buffet Institute for Global Affairs (GLO) joins us for the inaugural What’s Poppin program. Norvell is the program manager for GLO and is passionate about students learning more about the study abroad opportunities NU has to offer, as well as providing resources and access for navigating students' social identities while studying abroad.  

February 26 - Family Feud: Undergraduate vs Graduate Students

“It’s time for Familyyyy Feud!!!” This Sunday afternoon we are calling all family game night lovers. Join FMO (For Members Only) for a friendly competition of the popular television show “Family Feud”. Refreshments will be served.  See y’all there! 

 February 28 - Season Finale: Black History Month Trivia
  • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CST
  • The Black House, Quibbler's Club Family Room
  • Please RSVP here.  

It may be the end of February, but let’s be clear; the learning and unlearning of Black history does not stop here. For our last program of Black History Month, we welcome you to participate in Trivia Night in The Black House. We are celebrating all things Black culture, events, people, Twitter buzzwords, etc. Refreshments will be served.   

Recent Years Event Listings

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