CSUSM Celebrates Black History Month with Series of Events
By Katie Chappell
In observance of Black History Month, CSUSM is hosting events throughout February that highlight and honor African American culture and accomplishments, including a comedy show, an Arts and Lectures event on women’s rights, race and LGBTQ equality, a natural hair show, a weekly lecture series and a film screening.
“Black History Month is a time for everyone to recognize the positive contributions of black people,” said Andrea Green, volunteer student assistant in the Black Student Center. “This spotlight allows us to take time to showcase the achievements of the black community and combat negative stereotypes.”
In addition to the Black History Month events, the Black Student Center marks its one-year anniversary on Feb. 23. The center’s mission is to bring all students together to create a community where students can achieve academic excellence and obtain resources that empower them to be effective and involved citizens.
The Black Student Center and campus event partners hope that CSUSM’s Black History Month events will encourage a richer view of African American accomplishments throughout our nation’s history.
“We hope these events strike the curiosity of all students and start a conversation that continues beyond this month,” Green said. “In order to know where you’re going, you have to know your history. And this is all of our history.”
Schedule of Events
February 1: Real Talk, Real Conversation with Fred & Michell Jones, Entech Consulting Group
12 - 1 p.m. | Black Student Center
Weekly lectures designed to connect business leaders in the community directly with our students.
Feb 2: Black History Stand Up Comedy Night
6 - 9 p.m. | USU Ballroom | $10 Admission
Join BSC and the BSU for a night of comedy featuring Olivia Arrington, Jon Stringer, Tobe Hixx and Jamal Doman. Tickets can be purchased in advanced in USU 4200 or at the door.
Feb. 8: Real Talk, Real Conversation with Christine Conde, Enterprise Car Rental
12 – 1 p.m. | Black Student Center
Weekly lectures designed to connect business leaders in the community directly with our students.
Feb 13: Literature to Heal the Soul in Uncertain Times: Afrofeminism, Lesbian Resistance and Poetry
6:00pm | USU Ballroom | Tickets
Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro and Zulma Oliveras Vega will present their experiences in a dual lecture presentation on women’s rights, race, LGBTQ struggles for equality, and race in Latinx Literature and how literature can help us heal in these uncertain times.
Feb 14: Movie Night - Get Out
6 - 8 p.m. | Black Student Center
Movie screening of comedian, writer and director Jordan Peele’s new horror film.
Feb. 15: Real Talk, Real Conversation with Pamela Wells, CSUSM Career Center Director
12 - 1 p.m. | Black Student Center
Weekly lectures designed to connect business leaders in the community directly with our students.
Feb 20: Film Screening – Accidental Courtesy
6 - 8 p.m. | USU Ballroom
In his three decades of activism, musician Daryl Davis has been standing up to hatred and bigotry and convinced more than two dozen Klansmen to quit the KKK. In Accidental Courtesy, Daryl’s journey takes him across the country. In an age of digital disconnection, his method is rooted in personal interaction.
Feb 22: Natural Hair Stroll
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | CSUSM
A natural hair stroll through CSUSM will showcase natural black beauty in its purest form through the expression of hair. This campus walk is designed to break all socially contracted norm of beauty and embrace the natural features of our proud Cougars.
Feb 22: Real Talk, Real Conversation with Rachel Roberts, HR Director MAAC Social Services Industry
12 - 1 p.m. | Black Student Center
Weekly lectures designed to connect business leaders in the community directly with our students
Feb 22: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Keynote
6 - 8 p.m. | USU Ballroom
Keynote speaker Stephanie Covington Armstrong is a NEDA ambassador, mental health activist/advocate, and author of Not All Black Girls Know How To Eat.
Media Contact
Katie Chappell, Digital Communications Strategist
kchappell@csusm.edu